Ted Colburn Gillespie

Ted Colburn Gillespie, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, died May 13, 2018 after a short illness. Ted was born March 30, 1947, to Helen and Jim Gillespie. Ted grew up in Dearborn, Michigan and graduated from the University of Michigan in 1970 with degrees in mathematics and engineering. It was at Michigan that Ted met the most important person in his life, his wife, Patty: he worked as a busboy in her sorority. They married in 1970, and in 1972 moved to Toledo so that Ted could attend the University of Toledo law school. Ted had a long career as a patent attorney at Owens Corning Fiberglas before becoming a partner at MacMillan, Sobanski, and Todd in 1995 where he was a trusted counselor to clients and a valued partner and mentor to colleagues. He officially retired from the firm in December 2017.

Ted had boundless energy and an unmatched enthusiasm for life. He was an avid runner, swimmer, skier, and cyclist and participated in several Sylvania Triathlons. He loved to be outdoors and he and Patty instilled in their two daughters and three grandchildren a love of camping, hiking, and the National Parks. He loved good food, grew his own vegetables and canned peaches, tomatoes, applesauce, and jams. He was always up for any kind of game. He and Patty were members of the Sylvania United Church of Christ and participated in the choir and bridge group there. He was also a member of the Blissfield Model Railroad Club, a volunteer poll worker for many years, a supporter of the public schools, and, before his illness, the president of the Brookfield Neighborhood Association. He was a lifelong Michigan fan. 

Most of all, Ted loved his family. He cherished his loving partnership with his wife. He loved big family gatherings and ski trips with his siblings and nieces and nephews. He raised his daughters with love and patience. For the past eleven years, he and Patty babysat their grandchildren every other Thursday and were an integral and adored part of their lives. Ted was a remarkable person who gave of himself freely and was a friend to everyone he met. He will be greatly missed. Ted is survived by Patty, his beloved wife of 48 years; daughters Carolyn (Brian) Loh and Molly (Ian) Alberts; grandchildren David, Andrew, and Emily Loh; brother Steve (Sandy) Gillespie, sister Gay Gillespie (John Schober), sisters-in-law Mary (John) Kmet and Judy Barter;  many nieces and nephews; and countless friends.

A memorial service will be held at Sylvania United Church of Christ, 7240 Erie St., at 11:00 a.m. on June 9, 2018, preceded by visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Those who so desire may make memorial donations in Ted’s name to Sylvania United Church of Christ, Blissfield Model Railroad Club or Hospice of Northwest Ohio.

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