Theodore Charles Leggins

LEGGINS, THEODORE CHARLES Known as "Ted" by his friends and family. He was born at home in Kewanee IL. On June 5, 1926. Ted was predeceased by a sister Dorothy, his brother Leo, and his parents Joseph and Pauline. Now they are all together again. Ted never knew Dorothy as she died 2yrs. before him at the age of 2. Pauline, the story goes hoped for another daughter. Almost 2 yrs. later she was pregnant with Ted. When she had her son, she turned the name Dorothy around and hence the name Theodore. Dad left high school when he was just 16 and along with his best friend Bernard Zumber, joined the Navy. He said he was 18 and his parents signed the paperwork for him. Later he received his GED while serving his country. Dad's brother Leo joined the Navy before him and attained the rank of Chief Petty Officer. Sometimes they enjoyed "Liberty" together at different ports or places in their Navy careers. A devout Catholic Ted sent his children to Catholic grade school and attended mass regularly. He worked in the sheet metal trade where he was quite a craftsman. Laying out kitchen counters with stainless steel in cafeterias to fabricating ductwork in his later years. He finished his career working in a sign shop for Acolite Signs. Dad not only worked his trade during the day, but also taught sheet metal several nights a week for many years at the Union Hall. Dad was a proud Union Member for over 50 yrs. Once when a friend's son who was in the Navy came to Port Everglades at Ft. Lauderdale Fl. Aboard the Carrier Eisenhower, Dad and I were given a special tour of the ship. We visited the sheet metal shop and afterwards were told by an officer that "Lunch was on us" meaning the Navy Carrier Eisenhower's treat. Dad replied "Thank you Chief." So we enjoyed our lunch aboard the ship. Not ever being in the military I was now able to say that I served aboard The CVN 69 Dwight D. Eisenhower along with my father. We joked about this for years after that day. Dad enjoyed fishing for snook in and around the Ten Thousand Islands on the west coast of Florida; he did this for many years and caught lots of snook. After retiring in 1989 Ted and Joann travelled the world aboard cruise ships. From Russia to the Great Wall of China they saw it all. Ted leaves behind his wife of 60 years, Joann. They met in Miami, Dad from Illinois and Mom from Zanesville, Ohio. Three sons, Paul of Miami Lakes, Fl., Thomas of Palm Bay, Fl., and Carl of Libby, Montana. 5 grandchildren, Kenneth, Adam, Danny, Holly and Joseph Paul Leggins, also 2 great-grandchildren Sienna and Mason. His brother Leo and wife Gwendolyn who resided in Santa Rosa, California had 8 kids. Gwen's untimely early death had Leo raising four sons and four daughters by himself. Leo has been gone now for some time and it is my understanding that he and Gwen are buried together at the Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Francisco, California. My father resided in Hialeah, Fl. At the home he and Joann bought new in 1957.He went to church at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church all those yrs. His last two yrs. he was cared for by my brother Tom and later on by my mother who moved to Palm Bay Fl. to help out. Mom hired Carla to look after Dad when she or Tom couldn't be there. A nurse in training she helped dad a lot. Dad passed away peacefully on Sunday January 19th 2014. As he laid in bed with eyes wide open my mother held him, telling him she loved him. Tom on the other side rubbed his shoulder. He breathed his last few breaths, and closed his eyes for the last time, Dad was 87. Now he belongs to the Ages. Love you Daddy, Good Bye for now. It was Ted's wish to be cremated, which he has been. Burial will be held in Kewanee, IL. at a later date, alongside his parents and his sister in the Leggins Family Plot. A Catholic Mass will be said for Dad Today, Saturday Feb. 1st at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church at 10:30 a.m. in Palm Bay, FL. A celebration of dad's life will be held at Tom's house after the service.