Ted was born May 16, 1929 in New York City and died September 26, 2017 in Tacoma after a life well lived. Ted left the city at 17 years old for a career in baseball. He played throughout the Kitty League, Virginia League and Cotton States League until he was drafted by the Army in 1951. He spoke fondly of his time serving at Fort Lewis and Camp Hanford and made many friends in the Army. He also met his future wife, Marie in Tacoma during those years.

After his discharge at 23 years old, he felt he was too old to go back to playing baseball so he went to umpire training camp and became a professional umpire for ten seasons working his way up to the International League. Ted and Marie married in 1955 and after several years of baseball together decided it was time to “settle down” in Tacoma following the 1962 season. He went to work for the next 35 years with Farmers Insurance Group, first as an agent and then as a district manager. Throughout his life, Ted was a devout Catholic who loved baseball, golf and his family. He was a truly kind, generous and supportive man that will be deeply missed by all that knew him.

Ted was preceded by his parents John and Julia Lopatynski and his siblings Sophie, Marion, Joseph, Stephanie and Edmund. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Marie of Tacoma, his daughter Dr. Valerie Schneider (William) of Alamo, Ca and his son Christopher (Jody) of Tacoma as well as his two beloved grandsons, Nicholas and Evan also of Tacoma. Being “Papa” to his grandsons was his greatest joy later in life.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held Monday, October 2nd at 10:30 am at Holy Cross Church, 5510 N. 44th St. Tacoma, with reception to follow.

Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home

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