Theodore John Redgate

Theodore John Redgate, 84, Sutton, MA passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 1, 2025.

 

Ted was born in Brooklyn, NY, on November, 16, 1940, the eldest of the four children of Theodore and Dorothy June Redgate. He was passionate about music, and was a talented cornet player. He played with the Salvation Army band, and because of hard work, played first chair. His skill with the cornet further enabled him to attend the High School of Performing Arts in Manhattan.

 

As a young man he became involved in the Salvation Army, a relationship that would begin and end his career. In 1963, as an army officer stationed in Pittsfield, MA, he met Louise Davidson and drove her home to Boston, where she was stationed. They married October 19, that same year in Chelsea.

 

In 1964 they welcomed their first child Karl, and in 1968 their second child Katherine. Ted instilled a deep love of reading in his children. When Ted was home, there was almost always music playing. It was not uncommon during meals to hear him make sounds like he was enjoying the food, but frequently he was responding to the music that was playing. The family frequently spent holidays with extended family. Ted’s best friend, also named Ted, had married his sister Dorothy, and the two families had many visits.

 

Later, after Ted and Louise divorced, and Ted married Bette Jones Granat on December 12, 1993. The joy in this new marriage was obvious. He embraced Bette’s children and spent the next 30 years very happy.

 

Ted is survived by his first wife Louise, and their children Karl and Kathy, his 5 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild, and his current wife Bette, and her children, Jeremy, Joshua, Jonathan Granat, his sisters Dorothy and Patricia, and their children, and by his cousins Libby and Jim.

 

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, January 25, 2025, at the Salvation Army Corps, 150 Appleton St, Lowell, MA 01852. The celebration is from 1:00 to 5:00 pm.