THEODORE CROLIUS

CROLIUS Theodore Foster Tillinghast Crolius, 86, formerly of New York City, New York, Washington, D.C., and Wakefield, R.I., passed away in Jacksonville, Florida on Saturday, August 27, 2011. Ted was born February 13, 1925 in South Orange, New Jersey, to William and Sophie (Tillinghast) Crolius. Ted graduated from Deerfield Academy, Deerfield, Mass. in 1942, then attended Princeton University before World War II interrupted his formal education. During the war Ted, served in the US 3rd Army from September 1943 - April 1946. His unit landed in southern France, ultimately moving north to the Rhone River and into Germany to support the liberation of Europe. After the war he returned to Princeton, graduating in 1946. He obtained his law degree from Harvard University in 1951. Ted started his legal career in New York City at the Donovan & Leisure law firm. He then moved to Washington, D.C., where he served as U.S. Senator Jacob Javits' Legislative Counsel before becoming a founding partner in the Sharon, Pierson, Semmes, Crolius & Finley law firm. Ted's practice focused on international trade relations and policy. Throughout his career, he also remained active in national politics and campaigns, including a significant role in New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller's presidential campaigns of 1964 and 1968. He was also legal consultant to the Kennedy and Johnson administrations. Ted was known as a devoted reader and writer. He enjoying classical novels, and history books and in his spare time wrote several unpublished short stories and plays. Ted was also a life-long sportsman and avid Boston Red Sox fan. Ted is survived by Meredith (John Handley) of Ventura, California; Peter of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida; and, Jenifer (Ted Levin) of Pasadena, California. He had numerous adoring grandchildren: Kristen and Ross Handley; Jordan and Justin Levin; and, Katy and Kelly Crolius. Ted was preceded in death by his siblings, Marguerite, Anne, Richmond, James, and Peter. Throughout his life, Ted's children and their families were a source of great pride and love. He was a devoted father, grandfather and loyal friend, whose wit and intelligence will be deeply missed. Consistent with his lifelong support of his alma mater Deerfield Academy, scholarship contributions may be made in Ted's name to Deerfield Academy, P.O. Box 306, Deerfield, MA 01342. Contributions may also be made to Community Hospice Foundation, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257. Services are pending. Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com