Theodore A. Gullia, Jr.

Theodore A. Gullia Jr. (Ted), age 91, an active member of the Cleveland community, passed away peacefully on September 23, 2023, surrounded by loved ones.

Born in Huron Road Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio on January 13, 1932, he was a highly regarded and well-respected lawyer for over 55 years, during which time he was an Assistant Law Director for the City of Cleveland for 4 years, and a Special Counsel to the Ohio Attorney General for 8 years. Ted was also a real estate broker.

A lifelong aviation enthusiast, Ted was licensed as a private pilot in 1953; later adding instrument, multi-engine land, sea and Airline Transport Pilot ratings. In 1955, he became a First Officer with Capital Airlines Inc. (later merged with United Airlines), the first US airline to fly turbine-powered aircraft.

Ted served as President for 3 years and a board member for over 25 years of the Cleveland National Air Show. He was also a member of the Lawyer Pilot Bar Association.

Ted Gullia introduced 147 youth to the magic of flight as a volunteer for the EAA Young Eagles Project (a national general aviation youth project). He began flying with the program in 1996, and in 2006 he flew 47 youth - His most active year of involvement. The program has now introduced more than 2.3 million kids to aviation, many of which were flown by members of local EAA chapters. Ted played an important role in EAA Chapter 5's efforts to providing flights at the Cuyahoga County Airport.

One of the children that Ted flew contacted him several years ago and thanked him for the experience because it motivated him to become an airline pilot. That really touched Ted's heart! Such a great organization that truly makes an impact in the field of aviation. The volunteers are the ones that make the program so special. None of this could be done without them.

Ted was also a founding member of the Sovereign Order of St. John-Cleveland Commandery (a non-sectarian charitable organization).

Ted served on the board of trustees of the Cleveland Chapter of American Lung Association, the Diabetes Association of Greater Cleveland, and Freedom House. He received a BBA degree from John Carroll University in 1953, and a JD degree from Cleveland Marshall Law School of Baldwin Wallace College in 1966.

He was member of the ROTC at John Carroll University and later commissioned as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army in 1953. He served 2 years of active duty and 6 years as a Captain in the Army Reserves.

Ted enjoyed a wide circle of longtime friends spanning the country. He possessed a keen wit and had a renowned sense of humor that he passed on to his children. As a master storyteller, he kept his audiences engaged whether reciting a short riddle or a long shaggy-dog tale. He loved performing magic tricks using his special trunk at family gatherings and birthday parties. He could often be found playing the piano, guitar, ukelele and banjo, singing and inviting others to join in - always the life of the party. His hobbies included cooking, reading spy and historical novels, playing cards with cigar buddies, sailing on Lake Erie and in the Abacos; and scuba diving in the Bahamas, Caymans, Mexico, and the Coral Sea in Australia.

A loving father and grandfather, he is survived by his best friend of 46 years, Patty Stauffer; his children Theodore A. Gullia III (deceased) (Anne), Christopher Gullia (Jeanne), Andrea Brice, Amy Elizabeth Stock (Rob), and Joseph John Gullia (deceased) (Carole); 10 grandchildren Robert Joseph, Claire, Benjamin, Justine, Adrienne, Joseph, Gabriella, Grant, Macaindra and Evan; and two step-grandchildren, Alex and Evan.