Theodore J. Rozzi of Brewster, NY, passed away Friday June 12, 2026, in Danbury, CT at the age of 99.
‘Ted’ was born October 2, 1926, in Mareuil–sur-Arnon, France, son of the late Theodore and Jeanne (Pommier) Rozzi. Upon emigrating to the United States with his parents, he grew up in lower Manhattan, Harlem and ultimately settled in Mt. Vernon. The family endured difficult years, and those experiences led him to maintain a lifelong affinity for helping the poor. He graduated from Cardinal Hayes High School in Bronx, NY in 1944, then enlisted in the Navy and served in the Pacific Theater during WWII.
On September 23, 1950, Theodore married the love of his life Helen M. Culhane at Sacred Heart Church in Mt. Vernon, NY. They moved to Brewster, NY in 1959, where they raised their family. They were parishioners at St. Lawrence O’Toole Church, where he served first as an usher and then as a lector. Ted was honored to be among the first group of lay ministers of Holy Communion in the Archdiocese of New York, commissioned in 1973 by Terrence Cardinal Cooke at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
Ted spent his career working for NY Telephone in various locations throughout Westchester County for 42 years, retiring in 1990. After retiring, he volunteered his time as a driver for the American Cancer Society and spent many hours tending his vegetable garden and grape vines. The family all enjoyed the dozens of jars of grape jelly each summer.
He was a long-time member of the Telephone Pioneers and a member of the Knights of Columbus, St. Lawrence Council #1495 in Brewster.
Ted was predeceased by his wife Helen on October 12, 2022, and his brothers James, Albert, John, Michael, Anthony, and Robert Rozzi. He is survived by his son Paul Rozzi (Keri) of Woodbury, CT; daughters Mary Rozzi of Media, PA, Judy Callahan (Kevin) of Brewster, NY, Peggy Rozzi (Walter Herrmann) of Brewster, NY and Kathy Caccavale (Carmen) of Prescott, AZ; sister Yvonne Calvert of Green, NY; 14 grandchildren Amy Novi (Tavan), Andrew Rozzi (Keri), Daniel Callahan (Olivia), Evan Callahan (Karin), Raymond Caccavale (Zoe), Gia Caccavale, Chris Cunningham (Russell), Scott Herrmann (Laura), Jon Herrmann (Jo-Anna Wolfe), Amy Benfer (Bill), Chloe Quigley (Garrett), Jared Herrmann, Ashley Thielen (Chris) and Krysten Rozzi , along with 16 great grandchildren: Riley (Maleenah) & Kyle Novi, Caleb and Catherine Rozzi, James, Mairead and Ciara Quigley, Jackson and Piper Benfer, Samuel Caccavale, Christian Callahan, Bowen Thielen, Cody (Yui), Colin, Aiden (Keira) and Sophia Cunningham; and Mio Cunningham, his only great-great grandchild.
Known to his grandchildren and great grands as either Grandpa or ‘Ted’, he absolutely enjoyed every moment he spent with them. He had a knack for calming a fussy baby, and both he and the children loved the time they spent together. Simply put, he was their hero.
Since April of this year, Ted was a resident of Spring Village at Danbury, an assisted living facility. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all the staff at Spring Village for their extraordinary care and compassion during his brief time there. Special thanks are extended also to Deb Healy, his home caregiver for the past 3+ years, who became like a 5th daughter to him. We will always remember her kindness.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Beecher Funeral Home, 1 Putnam Ave., Brewster, NY. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Thursday June 18, 2026, at St. Lawrence O’Toole Church in Brewster at 10 a.m. followed by interment at St. Lawrence O’Toole Cemetery in Brewster.
Memorial contributions in Ted’s memory may be made to Brewster Cares (Home - Brewster Cares NY) or Unbound (https://www.unbound.org)
