What is your first memory of Edward? Share a favorite memory you have of Edward. Tell us about a special moment you shared with Edward. Describe a time when Edward made you laugh or smile. What is something you will always remember about Edward? Talk about a shared experience you had with Edward. What is something you did together that you enjoyed? Describe a place or activity that reminds you of Edward. Tell us about a personal story or anecdote involving Edward. What is something you learned from Edward?

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

Edward "Ted" Sexton

1954 - 2014

Edward "Ted" Sexton

1954 - 2014

Obituary

Guest Book

BORN

1954

DIED

2014

About

University of Massachusetts

Edward Sexton Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on May 7, 2014.

Ted Sexton was born in Chicago, Illinois May 3rd, 1954. At the age of 14, Ted moved to Gloucester, Massachusetts where he was raised by his Uncle Tom Sexton. It was here that Ted graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 1977.

After graduation, he started his career in the restaurant industry. He held the position of training specialist and eventually became General Manager of several corporate restaurants. This took him all over the U.S.

Ted had a dream. His dream was to one day open his own restaurant. Little did he know he would far exceed his dream. After opening one of the largest chain restaurant's in Colorado Springs, Ted met his now long-time friend, Franco Pisani. The two had similar dreams, and set off as Entrepreneurs to create their own multi-award winning Paravicini's Italian Bistro in April of 2003.

Ted was a self-made man who overcame much adversity in life. This helped him grow and become an inspiration to others. He was a great mentor to anyone he came across.

Ted married his wife,Tricia in 2002, and they would have celebrated 12 years of marriage on June 3, 2014. He leaves behind his devoted wife ,Tricia Sexton; his two step-sons, Michael and Ross Caldwell; his Aunt Jane Kane; and UncleTom Sexton; his 2 brothers, Bill Sexton and Mike Sexton; his sister Debbie Williams. He also leaves behind his best friend, Franco and wife, Lynn along with extended family to include all of his co-workers at Paravicini's, plus all of the patrons who have made his dream come true.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Sign Edward Sexton's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

Recent Activity

July 16, 2014

Dwight McClure posted to the memorial.

June 5, 2014

Someone posted to the memorial.

May 14, 2014

Franco Pisani posted to the memorial.

10 Entries

Dwight McClure

July 16, 2014

Ted was my best friend and mentor at Williston Academy in Easthampton, Ma.
during our High School years. He then went on to college and I into the US Army a year later. When on leave I did go over to UMass and visit with Ted. He treated me like a brother. I was also able to visit "The T" his Uncle Tom with him several times. At the time his brothers Geoff and Tim also stayed with Uncle Tom. Ted also used to visit my parents home in Northampton, Ma during his UMass years. They were very fond of Ted and he very much enjoyed a home cooked meal and developed a relationship with both Mom and Dad. He just had that way about him and showed them both an unconditional love. I'm sure they are all together again today. Ted also was very protective of my two sisters when they were the experimental female students at Williston.
This is a very sad time in the McClure family.

After the Army Ted is the one who moved me into my college dorm room and informed me that he expected me to do the hard work necessary in college and that he expected me to be successful. Told me a guy like me had to put in extra work. He followed thru in checking up with my mother to ensure that was the direction I headed. Last time I heard from him he said he had found a couple of very good friends and was going to be starting up his own business. One of those people was a wonderful woman whom I never had the pleasure of meeting. She was just special is the message I got. Also, I was given an open inviation to visit. I very much regret not going out to the wonderful town Ted had settled in. Ted Sexton will always remain in my heart. My prays are with his family and dear friends.

Dwight C. McClure
Becket, Ma.

June 5, 2014

We were shocked to hear of Ted's passing. Will never forget being invited in to Paravicini's right before they opened..they were doing a tasting and training for employees. We saw the lights on and went to the door thinking they had already opened. Ted and Franco brought us in and treated us to drinks and tastings of the wonderful food, just like we were employees!!

Will miss his great smile. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and to Franco.
Skip and Joanie mooney

Franco Pisani

May 14, 2014

Ted was not only my partner but my friend and mentor. we were "living the dream" RIP my dear friend rest in peace

Steve Sheppard

May 13, 2014

To Trish and Ted's family: Though I only meet Ted a hand full of times on those hockey trips with Don, It was always alot of fun and alot of laughs. Ironiclly the best trip of all the trips we had taken was to Colorado to do some sking with Ted and visiting Paravicini's for a great meal. My deepest condolences to you all

How you can show support

Donate in Memory

Make a donation in memory of your loved one.

Add photos

Share their life with photo memories.

Plant trees

Honor them by planting trees in their memory.

Follow this page

Get email updates whenever changes are made.

Send flowers

Consider sending flowers.

Share this page

Invite other friends and family to visit the page.

Sam and Laurie Lopez

May 12, 2014

Seeing Ted at Paravicini was always a joy. He greeted us with a smile, great conversation at the bar while we waited for a table. He always remembered our names, but what stands out the most about Ted, is his genuine spirit. Always up. We will miss Ted tremendously. May his family find peace, and be comforted with all the wonderful memories he brought to the lives of others, as well as theirs.

Emily Williams

May 11, 2014

To my Uncle Ted, you have always been a great man. Even though you lived so far, you have still been a great influence in my life. I wish I could have gone down to see you before, but I'm happy knowing you are no longer in pain. I love you Uncle Ted, and I still sleep with the teddy bear you gave me. To Auntie Tricia, I hope you're doing okay, I'll send all of my love to you with my mom when she goes out to visit you. I love you.

Ross Caldwell

May 11, 2014

I don't know what I would've done if it wasn't for Ted turning me around during my high school years. He took one look at my report card and said this has to change you are smarter than that. I figured skipping school was the cool thing to do and my grades were suffering because of it. He gave me an alternative, he would pay me for good grades and being a young teen money was hard to come by. I accepted his challenge and by the end of my last year in high school I had earned my place on the honor roll. I have said this many times but any success I may get in my life will have been directly related to what Ted did for me. He was a great man, a generous man, and a caring man. Life would have been so much different if wasn't for my mother Tricia and Ted meeting. Thank you so much, I owe you so much more than I could've have ever given back.

Don Restiano

May 9, 2014

What can I say about Ted in such a small space when there is so much to say? How can I recount a great memory or two when there are so many? In a cookie-cutter world where everyone seems to try to fit in and be like everyone else, Ted stood out as a unique figure. His own man, one of a kind.

I first met Ted as a freshman at UMass Amherst in 1973. I actually remember the first time vividly. It was pouring rain out, and this guy I had known for about two hours had to leave to hitch hike 10 miles to his job selling shoes at a department store in Northampton. I didn't know at the time Ted's story and why he had to become an adult so early in life, but I did know I had my father's car with me to move my stuff up to school. I pointed the car out in the parking lot, handed Ted the keys, and we were the closest of friends for the next 40+ years. Seeing how hard he had to work even then to have things the rest of us kids took for granted was a great lesson to me. Like so many things I learned from Ted, I never forgot it.

We later became roommates at school, in at least four different apartments and dorm rooms. After graduation, life took us in different directions, but we always stayed in touch. I was living in Chicago in 1979, and I had a chance to sublet a friend's apartment that was an incredible place to live. My friend Larry and I were interested, but we could not afford it. We needed a third person, but had no one that would work out. On the day before the deadline to accept or turn down the offer, my phone rang at work. It was Ted. "I just got a job at the Rusty Scupper in Chicago. Are you looking for a roommate?". And that was that. Me, Ted and Larry got the apartment, and it was also the beginning of a 35 year friendship between those two. That's just how it was with Ted. Once you were his friend, you had a friend forever.

Ted was a wandering soul for a long time. Lived all over the country. It was the nature of his business, but it really never was his true nature. He would never admit that, of course. But in private moments, he longed for real roots, a place he felt he really fit in. And then he met Trish. And a change came over Ted. A peace, a calmness. He found his love, his partner, his home. And he met Franco. They shared a dream. And together, they made it happen. It was the happiest time of his life. And his friends all saw it, all knew it, all rejoiced for him. No one had waited longer, or deserved it more. Thank you, Trish!

Ted and I had so many great times together. More "road trips" than I could even recall. Through it all, no matter if we were living 20 miles or 3,000 miles apart, he was always "there" whenever I needed to talk to him. I called him at halftime of every UMass football game to give him an update and my "insightful" analysis. I'll have to get used to keeping the phone in my pocket now. I don't think I ever will.

May 8, 2014

To Trish and all of Ted's family and friends:

It saddens me deeply to hear about Ted's passing. We all knew him to be a fun loving guy but the real essence of Ted is that his heart was as big as he was. He was always caring and loving towards his family and friends.

I'd like to share a few memories:

The first time I met Ted was about 1983. He had come home to Boston for a visit. He and his friend Bob met me at a restaurant where I was working. After my lunch shift, we caroused around town. We ended up at Faneuil Hall Market Place. The Flying Karamazov Brothers were performing in the square. They claimed to be able to juggle 3 objects of any shape or size that the audience could provide. Ted, with no hesitation, picked me up and offered me as one of the objects. :-) They declined but everyone had a great laugh.

Years later after my sister passed away; Ted, knowing my love of good food and wine. sent me a lovely gift box of wonderful red wines. This was not a prepackaged box. He included 2 of my favorites. How he remembered what they were astounds me. The next time he visited Donny and me at our home, he helped me celebrate Carol's life while we enjoyed racks of lamb and some of the great merlot he had sent.

Lastly and most importantly: Donny and I had the privilege to be witnesses for and attend Trish and Ted's wedding in Las Vegas 12 years ago. It was a lovely occasion. We laughed about many things, including having the worst limo driver ever! The ceremony at the chapel was quite touching and we had a great reception dinner at Olives at the Bellagio. The love and warmth between Trish and Ted was palpable. I am so glad Trish came into his life to give him the love and support he very much deserved.

Please accept my deepest condolences and know that Ted will always be remembered fondly!

Joni Bullock

Ben Gentile

May 8, 2014

To all of Ted's family and friends, I extend my condolences. Ted was a larger-than-life character!

I got to know Ted over several summers during our early to mid 20s. The "boys" (Ted, Don, Larry, Marc and me) went on long camping trips throughout the Western portions of the U.S. and Canada. Can you picture hippy guys in some rent-a-wreck tooling around the mountains by day and being the life of many campgrounds at night, much to the chagrin of our fellow campers? Well, that was us. In hindsight, we could have been much worse, but we somehow modulated our behavior because we were actually well-educated college students!

Oh, the stories.......well, I will keep those to myself. But those summers created bonds that lasted longer than our youthful exuberance. I hadn't seen or talked to Ted in a long time - through my own sloth - but that bond was always there. I will have a few beers this weekend in honor of a lost friend.

Showing 1 - 10 of 10 results

Funeral Services Provided By

Swan-Law Funeral Directors

501 North Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80903