Birth Date: 08/23/1927
Deceased Date: 09/14/2024
Theodore “Ted” David Reiss Jr, 97, passed into his Heavenly home on Saturday, September 14, 2024 after a brief hospitalization.
Born August 23, 1927, in Westchester Square in the Bronx, New York, he was the son of the late Theodore David Reiss, Sr. and Sadie Filander Reiss. In addition to his parents, Ted was preceded in death by his first wife, Doris Cole Reiss; his daughter, Bobbie Felizzi; his son, Bill Reiss; and his second wife, Ethel Sutton Reiss.
Ted is survived by his brother Howard Reiss of Oneonta, New York and sister Virginia Gillespie of Goshen, New York; son-in-law, Tony Felizzi and daughter-in-law Rose Reiss, both of Smithfield; grandsons, Mark Felizzi and wife Sabrina of Selma, Jay Felizzi and wife Meredith of Huntersville and Michael Felizzi and wife Mandy of Zebulon; granddaughter Tasha Reiss Cruz and husband Miguel of Vero Beach, Florida; and great-grandchildren, Katie Felizzi, Karsyn Felizzi, Beckett Felizzi, Presley Felizzi, Carlin Felizzi, Hodges Felizzi, Quinn Felizzi, Reed Felizzi, Emery Felizzi, Jordyn Cruz, Trevor Cruz and Tiara Cruz and many other family members and friends, including his beloved caregiver Jackie Thornton.
Ted enjoyed a self-described Huckleberry Finn type of childhood. His days in the Bronx were spent living two blocks from the ocean, swimming there during the day and catching horseshoe crabs in the evening. His family moved to Montgomery, New York when he was 14 to be close to family. Ted enjoyed picnicking, flounder fishing and exploring. He worked many jobs as a teenager and young man, including at an apple orchard, a dairy farm, the airport and for the utility company. Ted worked for Central Hudson for 41 years progressing through the company as he gained experience.
Ted met his first wife, who he called Dorie, when he was 17 at a square dance. They married 4 years later and were married until her death in 2002. They moved to North Carolina in 2000 to be closer to their daughter and grandsons. He found love once again when he met Ethel, and they were married for 16 years until her death.
Ted lived a long and full life as a devoted family man, a loyal friend and a man of faith. His mind was sharp, and he loved to talk and tell stories, sharing wisdom from his life well-lived. Ted cherished the visits with his great-grandchildren, who always put a big smile on his face. He was a kind, loving soul who will be dearly missed but not forgotten.
Ted was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church in Smithfield.
A memorial service will be conducted at 2 PM, Friday, October 18, 2024 at Centenary UMC in Smithfield. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 1-1:45 PM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Global Down Syndrome (https://www.globaldownsyndrome.org/), American Cancer Society (https://donate3.cancer.org/) or Centenary UMC, 140 E Market Street, Smithfield, NC 27577.
Online condolences may be left for the family at parrishfh.com.
