Theodore Arthur Koch

Theodore Arthur Koch, 67, of Ellington, CT, passed away peacefully at home with his family on April 6, 2026, after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. Ted was a devoted and loving husband, son, father, friend, and coach.

Born on January 25, 1959 in Pittsburgh, PA, to Theodore and Marguerite Koch, Ted moved to Vernon, CT. He graduated from Rockville High School's Class of '77 and earned a business degree from the University of Hartford. His lifelong dream was to work for himself, which he realized by successfully running his two small businesses, Stitched Concepts and TakMark Solutions. But Ted found his true passion and joy in coaching. After many seasons of coaching Vernon Little League baseball and softball, he devoted his recent years to the Ellington High School varsity softball team with his longtime friends, Jim Ferris, and Tom and Mary Gordon.

Ted married his soulmate and love of his life, Carol, in 2020. Their days were filled with Yard Goats games, working in their prolific community garden, and walking around Shenipsit Lake with their lab, Charlotte. Together, they explored countless national parks and historic monuments across the United States and Europe. Ted enjoyed many hobbies, including historical documentaries, photography, trains, golf, and, especially, strumming his guitar to the Grateful Dead. He completed several marathons, powered by his Sauconys and a steady supply of M&Ms and strawberry Pop Tarts.

In addition to his loving wife, Carol, Ted is survived by his parents, Theodore and Marguerite (Beachler) Koch of Vernon; brother, John Koch and his wife, Lori (Patulak) of Coventry; two children, Hannah Koch of Greensboro, NC, and Alex Koch of Glastonbury; niece and nephew, Danielle Koch of Southington and Brady Koch of Coventry; four stepchildren, Kelly McPartland of West Hartford, Morgan (McPartland) Graves and her husband, Zack of Wethersfield, Jonathan McPartland of Fryeburg, ME, and Daniel McPartland of West Hartford; and one grandson, Jordan.

A graveside service will be held privately. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, friends are encouraged to make a donation to the Ted Koch Memorial Softball Scholarship fund, which will be established to provide an annual scholarship for a graduating senior on the Ellington High School softball team. Donations may be made via GoFundMe at gofundme.com/f/TedKochScholarship or via check made out to the Ellington High School Activity Fund, with a note stating, "Ted Koch Softball Scholarship." Checks should be mailed to: 37 Maple St., PO Box 149, Ellington, CT 06029.