Theodore George Fish, Jr.

Theodore G. Fish, Jr. 96, of Yardville, passed away Thursday, October 16, 2025. Born in Reading, PA, he earned his bachelor’s degree from Lebanon Valley College and was a proud US Marine veteran, serving during the Korean War. Ted was a talented musician who played many instruments. He especially loved the trombone, which he played in the US Marine Corps Band at Parris Island. 

Mr. Fish’s love of music brought him to his career as a music teacher. A beloved teacher for Allentown/Upper Freehold Regional School district, he was the original music teacher and band director. He started the music program in 1957 with a class of only eight students. He taught at Allentown High School as the band director for 30 years and created the Marching Band, Concert Band, and Jazz Band Ensemble. He also was a coach for the school’s baseball and basketball teams. After he retired as a music teacher, Mr. Fish continued to work in the district as a substitute schoolteacher for 25 more years. He was very fond of all of his students and kept in touch with many of them over the years, even attending all of the reunions.  

Mr. Fish loved Allentown and the community. He was the only teacher to be recognized on the Allentown High School “Wall of Fame” of which he was extremely proud. In May of 2025, Ted served as Grand Marshal of the Allentown Memorial Day Parade, the first teacher to be honored with the title.

In his spare time, Ted and his wife, Kitty, loved to travel and go camping. He was a huge fan of the Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies.  Ted was the heart of his neighborhood, always bringing warmth and humor to those around him with his many stories.

Son of the late Myrtle Fish Blawn, he was predeceased by his loving wife Kathryn Fish and his sister, Natalie Hoffer. Ted is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Denise and Jim Fair of Fayetteville, GA; his sons, Jeff Fish of Lawrenceville, GA and Craig Fish, of Dawsonville, GA; his grandchildren, Jenna Fair (Josh Price), Christopher Fair (Savannah), McKenzie Fish, and Kelsey Fair, his great-grandson, Scottie Fair; his half-sister, Judith Neal, many nieces and nephews and extended family; and his long-time friend and companion, Cora Milligan of Burlington, Ontario, Canada.

Services will be held Thursday, October 23, 2025 at the Peppler Funeral Home, 114 S. Main St., Allentown. Visitation begins at 10:30 AM with a memorial service beginning at 12:30 PM. Burial will be at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery at 2 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Redbird Band Parent Association or RBPA, and sent to the attention of Mr. Ross Hecht, Allentown High School, 27 High Street, Allentown, NJ 08501.