Theodore George Main

Theodore “Ted” George Main passed away peacefully on February 12, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

Ted was born on February 26, 1945, in Ashland, Wisconsin. In 1957, he moved to Duluth, Minnesota with his parents, Harold and Helen, and his older brother, Jim. While attending Ordean Junior High School, Ted met the love of his life, Catherine (née Brooks). He graduated from East High School in 1962 and went on to attend Oklahoma State University’s School of Fire Protection, where he earned an Associate of Science degree in Fire Protection Technology. Ted later continued his education, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Fire Science Management from Southern Illinois University in 2012.

Ted and Cathy were married on February 19, 1965, in Stillwater, Oklahoma, beginning a devoted marriage of 61 years.

Following graduation from OSU, Ted began a lifelong career dedicated to fire protection and safety. He started with Pennsylvania Lumberman’s Insurance in Philadelphia before moving to Detroit in 1966 to work for Travelers Insurance. In 1974, Ted became Corporate Manager of Safety with McLouth Steel Products Corporation in Detroit. During this time, he also shared his expertise by teaching evening Fire Science courses at Henry Ford Community College in Dearborn, Michigan for 14 years.

In 1986, Ted joined Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company, transferring to their Chicago branch in 1987, where he and his family settled in Naperville, Illinois. Ted retired from HSB/AIG in 2008. In more recent years, Ted and Cathy made their home in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

Ted was a lifelong fire buff whose passion extended far beyond his profession. One of his proudest accomplishments was refurbishing his treasured 1936 Ahrens Fox fire engine from his hometown of Ashland, Wisconsin, restoring it from the frame up. With it, he won several awards and proudly participated in countless parades and fire engine musters.

Ted was deeply committed to his faith and was very active in the Episcopal Church throughout his life. Part of that service was through the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, where Ted was actively involved for many years. He served as President of the Chicago Assembly for approximately ten years.

Ted is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Catherine; daughters Teri Petty (fiancé John Floriano), Tonja Todd, Tami Moore (husband Joe Motto), and Tarra Main; grandchildren Amanda, David (Danielle), JT, Michael (Myreiah), Joey, Alder (Alex), Emma, Logan, and Tommy; great-grandchildren Jaxton, Liam, Amelia, Melody, and Frankie; brother Jim; and several nieces and nephews.

Ted will be remembered for his devotion to family, his lifelong dedication to fire safety, his faith, and the joy he found in preserving fire service history.

Celebration of Life Memorial Service March 7, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. St. Francis Episcopal Church 2903 Cabezon Blvd. SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124

Ted will be interred in the columbarium at St. Francis Episcopal Church following the service.

In Lieu of Flowers, donations may be made here to Elevate the Spectrum in support of ETS Hero Bags: https://givebutter.com/LY6KBZ.

Several of Ted’s grandchildren, and great-grandchildren are on the autism spectrum, and Ted proudly volunteered to assemble Hero Bags designed to assist first responders during emergency situations. The organization holds special meaning for the family, as Ted’s daughter Tarra is a founding member, Treasurer, and creator of the Hero Bags initiative.