Ted R. Spinale

Ted Ralph Spinale, 60, of Ipswich, beloved husband of Kathleen (Donaher) Spinale and father of Joseph, Peter, and Theodore Spinale, passed from this world on November 1, 2025, leaving a void in the hearts of family and friends alike. He was the son of the late Joseph and Shirley (Moran) Spinale, growing up in Malden as the youngest of eight boys. He was a 1983 graduate of Malden High School, where he was an active member of sports teams and student groups such as the Choral Arts Society, and proudly taught his sons his school song, making sure they knew that "Our colors are the blue & gold, our war cry MHS." He was also an active member of the Malden YMCA, working summers at Camp Madaca in Wenham.
After graduating from MHS, Ted went on to attend the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and Bunker Hill Community College, making his way to Northeastern University, where he graduated with a degree in Education. Throughout those years, Ted also worked in the restaurant business in Boston, primarily for the Lilley Company, starting at the Palace in Saugus and finishing his years in that business at the Pour House on Boylston Street. He moved on to run DeMarco Produce's Rosebud Farms in Malden for several years, and then began at FedEx in Peabody. Leaving FedEx as a manager after over two decades, he transitioned to a management role at Republic Services, where he's been for the past two years. One thing they all had in common - Ted made a positive impact wherever he worked, and he valued the friendships he made along the way.
Ted met his wife, Kathy, while they were in college. They went on to marry and start their family, living first in Newburyport and, after the birth of their first son, making the decision to move to Kathy's hometown of Ipswich, which quickly became Ted's adopted town. He joined the Over 30 Softball League and a bowling league in town, which was one of the last teams to win a league title before its closure.
Ted was always giving back to the community, volunteering as a coach for Ipswich Youth Soccer and the Ipswich-Triton Youth Football League, a CCD teacher at Our Lady of Hope, and sitting on a variety of town and school committees, most recently being on the Paine Grant Committee and the Synthetic Turf Advisory Committee, involved in providing updated facilities at the IMS/IHS stadium.
The impetus behind his volunteerism was his love for his family. He loved spending time watching his sons in athletic events and performances, cheering on the Ipswich Tigers teams as well as the Westfield State Owls football team. He enjoyed his family's annual vacation at Acres of Wildlife Campground, spending time with his family and his "summer family" while taking part in almost every activity, particularly the Big Wet Hayride. Whether it was a trip to Walt Disney World or Bermuda, he just wanted to spend it with his family, understanding that those times are precious and those memories priceless.
Ted is survived by his wife of 34 years, Kathleen; son Joseph Spinale and his husband Alexander Marse; son Peter Spinale and Catherine Eynatian; and son Theodore. He also leaves behind his brothers John, Steven, and Frank, his father-in-law and mother-in-law Peter and Dorothy Donaher, brother-in-law Peter Donaher and his wife Susan (Mikel), sisters-in-law Donna (Richard), Cheryl (Frank), and Andrea (Timothy), and nieces and nephews Leeanne Chodrick, Steven Spinale, Nicole Tirella, John Spinale, Connor Donaher, and Keegan Donaher, as well as many cousins, godsons, and other family members and friends, including Patricia Chipman, a member of his "bonus family". Ted was predeceased by his infant son, James Carrick Spinale, his parents Joe and Shirley, and brothers Jay (Joseph), Richard, Jamie (James), and Timothy.
A graveside service for Ted will be held on Monday, November 10th at 11am at Highland Cemetery, Ipswich. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours will be at the Campbell Funeral Home, 6 High Street, Ipswich, on Sunday, November 9th, from 1 to 5pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Ted's memory to support his youngest son's education to the Theodore Spinale Scholarship Fund, c/o Brookline Bank, 31 Market Street, Ipswich, MA 01938 or https://go.fidelity.com/yw2i2h. Information directions, condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com