THEODORE M. "TED" SLABEY

1924 - 2011

Theodore M. (Ted) Slabey, 87, of Mansfield, passed peacefully on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2011, after a brief illness.
Ted was born in 1924, in East Orange, N.J., and moved with his family to Duquesne.
He graduated from Washington and Jefferson College in Washington, Pa., and was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy. Ted served on active duty for over 20 years and retired at the rank of Lieutenant Commander in 1965. During World War II, Ted commanded an LST in the Pacific. He later "wintered over" during a year in Antarctica with the Seabees in Operation Deep Freeze, in support of the International Geophysical Year in 1957-1958. Ted was the Executive Officer on two destroyers. He was stationed at the Pentagon during the Bay of Pigs incident in 1961.
After retiring from the Navy, Ted completed a Master of Science degree at Lehigh University. At Washington College in Chestertown, Md., he founded the Computer Science department, where he taught from 1969 to 1972. He then founded degree programs at Mansfield University in Computer Science and Business Administration. He taught at Mansfield from 1972 until his retirement in 1988.
Ted had a lifelong curiosity and desire to learn. In retirement, he could frequently be seen on campus at Mansfield University, auditing courses in German, Spanish, Literature, History, and Linguistics. He continued to pursue many interests, particularly naval history, up until the end of his life.
Ted was predeceased by two daughters, Sharon L. Slabey and Alice C. Slabey; his parents, Andrew and Mary Slabey of Bethlehem; his brother, Theofil Slabey of Bethlehem; and his sister Doris Holets of Oxon Hill, Md. He leaves behind his wife, Mary L. Robinson-Slabey; seven daughters, Sara S. (John) Teeling of Mesa, Ariz.; Mary R. (Jacques) Bellairs of Wyomissing; Margaretta Slabey of Broomall; S. Hope (Rob) Stewart of Little River, Texas; Patience A. Armstrong of Raleigh, N.C.; June T. Foster of Oakland, Calif.; and Robin L. (Jason) Glowatz of Mansfield; and one son, Andrew P. (Penny) Slabey, of Concord, Calif. He is survived by 15 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Emily Campbell of Jacksonville, Fla.; and Nancy Dean of Naples, Fla.
Family and friends are invited to call on Saturday, Sept. 24, from 2 to 4 p.m., at the Jacquelyn A. Buckheit Funeral Chapel, Crematory & Monuments, PC, 637 South Main St., Mansfield. A private memorial service will be held with the Rev. Dr. Joseph F. McNamara officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory should be sent to the Animal Care Sanctuary of Wellsboro, Pa. 16901 on Route 6 (former SPCA location), phone 570-596-2200, the Mansfield Free Public Library, 71 North Main St., Mansfield, Pa. 16933, or Laurel Hospice, 24 Walnut St., Wellsboro, Pa. 16901. www.buckheitfcandcrematory.com.