Theodore "Ted" Mullen

1933 - 2021

PHELPS - Theodore "Ted" Mullen's life journey of 87 years, 10 months and 9 days ended, after a very brief illness, on Monday (May 24, 2021) at Guthrie Hospital in Sayre, Pa., with family by his side and in the thoughts of others who could not be with him. On that day he was reunited with his beloved Mary Jane Tyler Mullen, who left him to enter her heavenly home in December 2004.

Family and friends are invited to a celebration of life to be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday (June 19) at the United Church of Phelps, officiated by Reverend Ellen Donnan.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Phelps-Clifton Springs Community Theatre, 1554 Route 488, Clifton Springs, NY 14432.

Born July 15, 1933, Ted was one of 14 children born to Earl W. and Terresa Wooster Mullen. A graduate of the Batavia High School Class of 1951, he received his BS from Cornell University in 1955, after which he served his country in the US Army from 1955–1957. Returning to Cornell University he was awarded an MS in 1960 and in 1966 an MS from Clarkson University. In July 1958 Ted and Jane were wed and started their life together.

Ted had a proud teaching career that spanned over 60 years, teaching in Troupsburg, Sodus, Phelps, Midlakes, DeSales (Geneva), Tyburn Academy (Auburn) and Covenant Love Community School (Freeville).

In the 54 years that Ted lived in Phelps he was involved in many aspects of the community including the Phelps Historical Society and Sauerkraut Festival. A very active member of the Methodist Church and then the United Church of Phelps, he served on nearly every church committee. He was a founder of the Phelps Recycle Center.

Ted was interwoven in the fabric of Midlakes High School. He served as Chair of the Science Department, chaperone on Senior Class Trips, and advisor to the Ski Club, Junior Class, Future Farmers of America, Midlakes Reflections yearbook, and American Field Service, helping to bring many international students to the P-CS. He and his family hosted students, Polo from Uruguay in 1974-75 and Gus from Argentina in 1985-86, as well as Chinese teacher Bo Yin in 1989-90.

Perhaps best remembered as the Technical Director of the Midlakes High School Theatre Experience and the Phelps-Clifton Springs Community Theatre, Ted never met a theatrical challenge that he couldn't conquer. Occasionally Ted could be coerced to appear on stage in a P-CSCT production or even a walk on appearance in a Midlakes HS Theater Experience show.

Ted enjoyed any time spent at his Keuka Lake cottage, attending live theatre productions and concerts, Cornell sporting events, as well as Saturday morning breakfasts with his "tech buddies". Most of all, he enjoyed time spent with family and looked forward to the annual Mullen family reunion.

If the greatness of a human is measured in the legacy they leave behind, Ted was a GIANT. He will live on in the memory of each life he touched as a teacher, tutor, mentor, scientist, committee member, Technical Director, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend. His positivity, ability to see the good in each situation, and his sense of humor is an example to be followed by all. The world will be a much greater place if this is the case.

Ted is survived by three daughters Janis (Blake) Werner of Newfield, N.Y., Mary (David) Johnson of Freeville, N.Y. and Carol (Joshua) Buchman of Manlius, N.Y.; 10 grandchildren Renee Mobley, Amy (Shane) Killian and Bradley Werner, Stephen (Meg Jones), Rebecca, Melissa and Katherine Johnson, Tyler (Atim), Kalie and Talia Buchman; two great-grandchildren Piper Jane Mobley and Ezekiel Killian; siblings Lester (Barbara) Mullen of Stafford, N.Y. and Nancy (James) Clarcq of Phelps, N.Y.; in-laws Herb (Charleen) Call, Dodie Mullen, Bette Hammond, Barbara (Richard) Terry, and Priscilla Tyler; along with many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was predeceased in death by wife, Mary Jane Tyler Mullen; parents Earl and Terresa Mullen; parents-in-law Dr. Leonard and Mary Tyler; daughter and son-in-law Anne (Paul Hadsell) Mobley; and siblings Zelda (Erton) Sipher, Louise (Virgil) Phelps, Lyla (Conner) Stephens, Earl W Mullen, Jr, Roy (Laura) Mullen, Eleanor (Renold) McCrumb, Arlene Call, Robert Mullen, John Mullen; as well as brother-in-law Jerry Tyler.