Ted Taddei
US Navy - Chief Gunners Mate

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Theodore Taddei, a U.S. Navy veteran of three wars, died of liver cancer on October 13, 1998, at his Carroll County home. Born in Lancaster, PA, Ted was 73 years old.

Aged 18, Ted joined the U.S. Navy in 1943. He served in World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars. He was discharged in 1964 as Chief Gunners Mate.

Ted then went to work, first for the National Aeronautical and Space Administration and then for the Bendix Corp., where he retired in 1990.

Ted's wife of 40 years, the former Simone Colbrant, died in 1991. A couple of months after her death, a friend brought Ted down to Pier One to see the SS JOHN W. BROWN. Although initially very reluctant to come aboard, he soon became an enthusiastic volunteer in the BROWN's restoration process. Ted worked on the ship's guns and was responsible for getting the forward 3-inch and 20mm anti-aircraft guns back to (simulated) working order.

While on the BROWN's trip to Philadelphia in 1997, Ted met a passenger, Billie Jenkins. Ted and Billie were married within weeks of their first meeting.

A memorial service was held on November 8, 1998, in the chapel on board the BROWN.