Theodore Anthony "Ted" Vautrinot

NAPLES, Fla. and MIDDLE GRANVILLE, N.Y. Theodore Anthony "Ted" Vautrinot, 73, of Naples, died Nov. 15, 2007. A longtime seasonal resident of Naples, he made his home in Middle Granville, N.Y. Ted attended Harvard College and the University of Wyoming, receiving a B.S. in electrical engineering. He received his MBA from the University of Southern California. He retired from the U.S. Air Force as a Lieutenant. Colonel. in 1976. He served with distinction in campaigns in Europe, Iran, Morocco, Beirut, the Congo and Vietnam, earned his "Master Navigator" wings and was the recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross and seven air medals while logging over 5,000 hours of flying time, including more than 1,000 hours of combat time. He was also instrumental in development of air and space technologies and served as financial controller in the Air Force and for several private companies. Following retirement, he served with the International Executive Service Corps in Romania and Slovakia. Ted was a member of the American Legion in Granville, N.Y. and an avid sailor and aviator. He was also a talented vocalist and "barbershopper", a member of the SPEBSQSA in Pleiku, Vietnam, and with the Paradise Coastmen, Sand Dollar Quartet, the Rutland Curbstone Chorus in Rutland, New York and the Racing City Chorus in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. He was an active member of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, serving as a Eucharistic minister and cantor. Ted is survived by his loving family, including his wife of 50 years, Patricia; children, Catherine (Lance) Krieger of Saratoga, Calif.; Suzanne (William Keller) Vautrinot, Brig. Gen., USAF of San Antonio, Texas; Nancy (Gregory) St. John of Albuquerque, N.M.; and Theodore Vautrinot Jr. of Newport Beach, Calif.; grandchildren: Amanda Krieger and Geoffrey, Jarryd, and Joshua St. John; sister, Judith Zeoli of Woburn, Mass.; and brother, Joseph Vautrinot Jr. of Suffolk, Va. He was preceded in death by his son, Philip. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, Nov. 24, at 10 a.m., at St. Peter the Apostle, 5130 Rattlesnake Hammock Road. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Avow Hospice, 1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples, FL 34105, SPEBSQSA chapters to which Ted belonged or the church of one's choice.