Theodore Walter Day

THEODORE (TED) WALTER DAY
Castleton, VT
Theodore "Ted" Day never met a stranger, only friends who'd leave with a story and sometimes a little spontaneous, but always spot-on, physical therapy advice. Ted was born in Brooklyn, NY to William and Violet Day on September 12, 1947. He grew up in Oceanside, NY, but his heart was always pulled north to Vermont where his family would visit every summer. Ted learned the rhythms of farm life helping at Hill Farm-milking cows, bringing in hay, and falling in love with the green mountains. Although he could never "officially" call himself a true Vermonter, Vermont was always the place he considered home.
As a child, Ted experienced the simple charm of attending a one-room schoolhouse, later advancing to Burr & Burton Academy where he graduated in 1965. College took him to Heidelberg in Ohio, where he earned his degree in 1969. After college, Ted joined the Job Corps and later the U.S. Forest Service in Oregon. It was during this time, in the Pacific Northwest, that Ted realized his desire to become a physical therapist. With that calling, he returned to New York and earned his physical therapy degree from Downstate Medical Center in 1976. During his days at Heidelberg, he'd met a wonderful young woman named Susan. Their connection grew into love, and they were married on July 9, 1977. Together, they built a life together in West Caldwell, NJ, where they raised their children and shared nearly five decades of marriage.
In 2011, Ted and Sue moved to Castleton. Ted worked for the Mountain View Center in Rutland, where he was always known for his "crazy" ties and colorful shirts. In his younger years, he was an avid volunteer and valued his ability to help others. He learned to ski at an early age and loved being able to cut the slope. He became a ski patroller, using his medical knowledge to aid the less agile skier. Service was a thread woven throughout his life; he was a volunteer EMT at the West Essex First Aid Squad in NJ and donated his time to VT Adaptive at Pico Mountain.
Retirement didn't slow Ted down. At the Castleton Community Center he served on the Board of Directors, practiced Tai Chi, learned to play the guitar, and joined a writer's group. At his core, Ted was a seeker and a lifelong student. He was captivated by Native American history and culture. He was always in search of greater spiritual meaning, finding peace in Quaker silence and solace taking part in vision quests.
Ted leaves behind his wife, Susan and children Rebecca and Billy, his sister Linda McKeever and his brother Bob Day. There will be a celebration in Ted's honor at the Castleton Community Center on Saturday, September 27th from 1-3pm. Attendees are encouraged to wear a fun Hawaiian shirt, crazy tie or bright colors in his memory. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Vermont Adaptive, the Rutland Humane Society or any organization that supports equality and human rights.