Theodore P. Lekas                    

Theodore P. "Ted" Lekas, 80, of Worcester, died Friday, April 6, in the UMass-Memorial Medical Center, after an illness.

He was born in Worcester in 1926, son of Peter and Merciny (Manoulis) Lekas. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Louise; his three children, Theodore P. Lekas, Jr. and his wife Joanne, Daniel J. Lekas and his wife Sara, Katherine M. Lekas and her husband Joseph; five grandchildren, Jonathan, Callie, David, Thea and Samuel; and his sister, Dr. Mary Lekas Picozzi. He lived in Worcester all his life.

He attended Worcester public schools and received his advanced degrees at Boston University and Worcester State College.

He was a decorated Navy veteran of World War II, proudly serving his country from 1943-1946. He participated in numerous invasions in both the European and Pacific Theaters of Operation as a Navy Seal, most notably landing on Omaha Beach in June 1945 at minus "H" hour.

Before entering the field of education, Ted worked as an investigator for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, serving as an interpreter for immigrants arriving in Boston from Greece. He was an Aide-de-Camp to Governor Foster Furcolo in 1959. He began his teaching career in 1955 at Grafton High School, leaving there in 1959 to teach Social Studies in the Town of Shrewsbury. He became Principal of Shrewsbury High School in 1969. He retired as Principal in 1983, and spent the following two years as Education Coordinator at the Worcester County House of Correction completing in 1985 a career of 30 years in education. He was keenly interested in all his students at Shrewsbury and Grafton and is still spoken of fondly by many of them.

He was a member of St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral, at one time serving on its Board of Directors. A member of NEA and MTA, Ted was the recipient of the Kappa Delta Pi (Educational Honor Society) "Compatriot in Education" award in 1976, through the National Association of Secondary Principals. He was past president of the Midland League, a 32nd degree Mason (life member of Grand Lodge of Masons of Massachusetts), the DAV Commanders Club, Worcester Boy's Club Alumni Association, and was a former member of the Worcester Lodge of Elks.

Calling hours at the Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester, are Monday, April 9, from 4 to 8 p.m. The funeral service will be Tuesday, April 10 at 10:30 a.m. in St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 102 Russell St., Worcester. He will be buried at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne on Cape Cod.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Trinity Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 300 Barber Ave., Worcester 01606.

Published in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette from 4/7/2007 - 4/8/2007.