Joseph Theodore Jr.

JOSEPH THEODORE

ADA — Joseph M. Theodore, Jr., age 83, died Friday, April 10, 2015 at his residence in Ada, Ohio.

He was born April 29, 1931 to Joseph Medeiros Theodore Sr. and Lillian Lima Theodore in Fall River, MA.

Joe was a loving and dutiful son and worked hard to fulfill his parent's dreams for him. He was an excellent student and a trusted and respected friend to many. Joe was a talented musician; he loved playing guitar, and singing in bands and on the radio station WALE in the Fall River area during his teenage years. He met his future wife, Theresa Rouleau, at Durfee High School when they played leading roles in an operetta.

Accepted to the New England Conservatory of Music after high school, Joe continued his musical training there before changing direction to a career in Pharmacy and Education. He earned a BS from the New England College of Pharmacy in 1955 and married his high school sweetheart and leading lady, Theresa, the same year. Relocating to Wisconsin to pursue a masters degree, they welcomed their first child, Karen ('56) and Joe received an M.S. from the University of Wisconsin in 1958.

Returning to Massachusetts, Joe became Assistant Professor of Pharmacy at Northeastern University in Boston ('58-'66) while completing his PhD from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy in 1965. Joe and Terry joyfully expanded their family during this time with four more children, Richard ('58), Sharon ('60), Carolyn ('61) and Lauren ('65).

The family moved to Ada, Ohio, in 1966 where Joe became an Associate Professor of Pharmacy and the Department Chair at Ohio Northern University and was promoted to Professor in 1972. During his 32 years at ONU, Joe put his heart and soul into the work of teaching and mentoring thousands of pharmacy students. He also administered financial aid for pharmacy students, and freely gave his personal time and affection to tutor and advise "his kids" as well as assist other faculty members, and the pharmacy community. Joe created and developed the Clinical Pharmacy Internship program at ONU and served as an advisor to the Kappa Psi pharmacy fraternity. He was awarded the ONU Pharmacy Alumni Chair in 1995-96. Prior to his retirement in 1998, Joe led the curriculum committee that developed the Doctor of Pharmacy program. Many of Joe's students and colleagues have stayed in touch through the years, expressing their gratitude for his guidance and friendship.

Joe was devoted to his family, his church, and music. He tutored his children in music, and math and science whenever they needed his help, and sometimes when they didn't think they needed his help. He served a term as president of the Ada PTA where his five children all attended. He was a soloist, cantor, occasional choir director, and guitarist at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church for nearly 50 years, providing music for countless weekend services, weddings and funerals and mentoring other cantors.

Later in life, Joe became interested in cooking and enjoyed cooking shows, new recipes and gadgets. His favorite recipes included those from his Portuguese heritage, New England seafood and anything with beef. He was a fan of Boston area sports including Redsox, Celtics, Bruins and Patriots.

Joe was a loving and devoted husband to his wife, Terry of nearly 60 years, a generous and loving father to his children: Karen (Gene) Harris, Richard (Paula) Theodore, Sharon (Mark) Athearn, Carolyn Theodore (Mark Mecenas) and Lauren (Louis) Mazzoli , and a doting grandfather to his many grandchildren, whom he loved to tease mercilessly.

Visitation will be from 6-8pm on Monday, April 13 at Hanson-Neely Funeral Home in Ada. A Rosary Service will be held at 8:00 PM on Monday at the funeral home.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Tuesday, April 14 at 11 AM at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Ada with Father David Young officiating. He will be laid to rest in his ancestral burial plot in Notre Dame Cemetery in Fall River, Mass.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to: Pancreatic Cancer Action Network www.pancan.org or www.purplestride.org/columbus or Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.

Arrangements are by Hanson-Neely Funeral Home, Ada.

Condolences may be expressed at www.hansonneely.com.