Theodore E. Mulford

Theodore E. Mulford
of Binghamton
Theodore E. Mulford, age 90, of Binghamton, NY, passed peacefully surrounded by his family on August 12, 2010 at Lourdes Hospital. He was predeceased by his father, Ford E. Mulford and mother, Edith Parker Mulford. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ruth T. Mulford; son, Barth P. Mulford and daughter-in-law, Rebecca S. Mulford of Alexandria Bay, NY. Mr. Mulford was a member and elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Binghamton and was a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Colgate University where he was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity and elected to Phi Beta Kappa. The majority of his business career was spent at Link Aviation and its successor companies from which he retired as Vice President after 30 years of service. Mr. Mulford was a former commissioner with the New York State Cable Television Commission and was Chairman of the SUNY's Statewide Advisory Board for Economic Development from its founding in 1983 until 1997. Mr. Mulford was a member and former Chairman of the Broome County Industrial Development Agency and served as Chairman of the Southern Tier High Technology Council. In this capacity he was a founder in the establishment of Binghamton University's Watson School of Engineering. He also served as a director of the New York State United Way for many years, as well as the Board of Directors of both Broome County then NYS United Way. Mr. Mulford chaired both the Higher Education sub committee of the Business Council of NY State and The State University of New York's Statewide Advisory Board for Business and Industry. He served as a member of the Board of Directors of Lourdes Hospital for over 20 years, was past Chairman of the Board of the Sheltered Workshop and R.S.I and was a founding member and past Chairman of Twin Tier Home Health Inc. He was a member and former Chairman of the Harpur Forum, a past Director of Broome Community College Foundation and served many years on the Board of Directors of the Roberson Center for the Arts and Science Center. He served continuously for over 50 years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Southern New York Auto Club (AAA). As a member and former president of the Binghamton Rotary Club, Mr. Mulford served the club since 1945. Mr. Mulford was a longstanding member of the Binghamton Club, the Twenty One Club and the Austin Putting Academy. In his years of service to the Greater Binghamton community and State of New York, he was honored many times. In 1950, he was given the Distinguished Service Award as Young Man of the Year by the Junior Chamber of Commerce. In 1974 Mr. Mulford was named Outstanding Citizen by the Broome County Urban League. In 1984 he was elected to the Post 80 American Legion Hall of Fame. In 1989 the State University of New York Board of Trustees honored him with a Distinguished Citizen Award. Mr. Mulford was given the Binghamton University Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award in 1993 and 1998, and Binghamton High School Distinguished Graduate Award in 2005. He was also the Baden Powell Council Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizen Honoree in 2004. Mr. Mulford was a member of the St. Marks F & AM since 1947 and was a Master Mason. In May of 2010 he received an honor of service for 65 years as a Master Mason. As a prominent figure in the growth and development of the City of Binghamton and the larger community, Mr. Mulford assisted the agencies, schools and businesses that have become the fabric of the community. His active role and willingness to serve and lead has been appreciated as an example of excellence and humanitarian endeavors. In his familial life, Mr. Mulford was an avid sports fan. He was a lifelong follower of the NY Yankees and NY Giants, and his Alma Mater Colgate Red Raiders. Mr. Mulford was an accomplished golfer and bowler, and coached youth sport teams at many levels. He enjoyed traveling with his family, the company of his many friends, listening to his extensive jazz collection, and playing bridge.
Memorial services will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 42 Chenango Street, Binghamton, Monday at 11:30 a.m. Reverend Arthur M. Suggs and Reverend Monica Styron will co-officiate. Burial will be in Vestal Hills Memorial Park at the convenience of the family. The family will receive friends at the J.A. McCormack Sons Funeral Home, 141 Main Street, Binghamton, Sunday from 2-4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in memory of Ted may be made to Lourdes Hospital Foundation, 169 Riverside Drive, Binghamton, NY 13905 or Colgate University Alumni Association.