Obituary of Theodore Richard Wenger

Theodore R. Wenger, 93, of Vestal, passed away on Tuesday, July 28, 2020. He is the son of the late Stephen and Nellie Wenger of Johnson City, NY. He is survived by his children Deborah (Edward) Salomon, Southhampton, PA, Patricia A. Wenger, West Chester, PA, and Gary (Patricia) Wenger, Harvard, MA, grandchildren; Eric and Emily Salomon, Caroline Wenger, and Kelsey and Gregory Wenger, great grandchildren; Selina, Rylee, and Cyrus, his sister Rosemary Suwak, twin sister Dorothy Stepanovsky, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 67 years, Dolores M. Wenger (White), sisters Anna Honsinger and Josephine Dellard, brother Stephen L. Wenger, in-laws Vincent White and Beverly Gray. Theodore was born in Johnson City, NY and graduated from Johnson City High School. Following high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. Theodore is a WWII Veteran who served in the Army in the South Pacific, earning a First Sergeant insignia. In 1958, he earned a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Education from Harpur College. He earned a Master's from Cortland College in 1960. Following his honorable discharge from the Army, education became a big part of his life. He was an elementary school teacher with the Johnson City School District until his retirement in 1988, serving on numerous committees and on the Johnson City Teacher's Association Board of Directors. He continued with his love of teaching as a substitute teacher until he was almost 90. He also relentlessly pursued a position on the Vestal School Board. His family was most important to him. He was always willing to help his parents, siblings, children, nieces and nephews when needed. Maintaining exemplary moral standards was also always important to him, as he continually imparted his values to his family. One of Theodore's passions was to stay aware of current events and he avidly read the newspaper and watched the news. Theodore loved to work on his yard and maintain his home. He also enjoyed, and was very skillful at, playing pinochle with his family. Theodore loved to travel, taking his family on summer vacations to visit historical landmarks throughout most of the States in the United States. Later, he and Dolores loved seeing the world in their numerous trips abroad. Theodore and Dolores took up downhill skiing in their 40's and regularly skied locally and at Vermont and Western ski resorts into their 80's. Theodore was also a proficient swimmer and was known to perform challenging dives off diving boards. A Funeral Mass will be offered at Our Lady of Sorrows Church on Saturday, August 1, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Johnson City. The family will receive friends at the Coleman & Daniels Funeral Home, 765 Main Street, Vestal, on Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 to 10 a.m. prior to the Mass. Social distancing will be respected and maintained. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Theodore can be made to the Johnson City Teacher's Association.