Edward Price Vreeland II, “Ted or Teddy”

Born Jan. 27, 1950, in Salamanca, N.Y., he was the only child to the late Robert (”Bob”) and Lucile (Looney) Vreeland.

Educated in the Salamanca School System, Ted went on to graduate from the Manlius Military Academy (Syracuse, N.Y.) in 1968. He was drafted into the U.S. Army and served his country in the Vietnam War.

He was a former member of St Mary’s Church in Salamanca, N.Y. Like his father, Bob, Teddy was an accomplished amateur golfer in Western New York and enjoyed the many friends and memories forged at Elkdale and the surround-ing country clubs. He was an avid basketball fan, coaching his children throughout their youth. Many Sunday nights were spent at the Hillview Community Center where he’d open the gym for children who wanted to play. The games were spirited and competitive and bridged an opportunity for local kids to bond around basketball, all the while bringing him great joy to play a small part of the process and journey for all children pursuing their athletic goals.

Surviving are his loving wife, Pamela (Poole); his five children: Elizabeth (Tracie) of St Petersburg; Grant (Theresa) of Tampa; Jordan (Crystal) of Tampa; Cara (Joseph) of Tampa; and Christian “Chewy” (Tiffany) of Tampa; his eight grandchildren: Christian “TBear”, Cailyn, Meme, E.B. Gennady, Oliver Sotomayor Poole, AG Anacostia, Greighlyn, Tyriek, Brennan and Kian; and canine companions: Tokie and Lolly. He supported his children and grandchildren at every stage in their lives, always available with time and full of interest and hope for their happiness.

Upon relocating his family to Auburndale, Fla., in July 1992, he successfully managed golf courses in Central Florida, increasing their profitability at each stop. He was a member of St Alban’s Church and a loyal fan of kids throughout Polk County competing in all sports.

In retirement, Ted enjoyed gardening, outdoor Pops in The Park symphony, and attending his grandchildren’s games – so much so that he’d be at their practices too. Family bonding was always a fixture in his routine. Most recently, on Thursday evenings after watching his grandchildren’s games/ practices, you could find him sitting at the head of the table at Santoro’s Pizzeria talking shop with his family while enjoying pizza and a beer.

Ted served his community for years as a volunteer at a Tampa homeless shelter soup kitchen, as well as in many philanthropic capacities. At the time of his death, he was actively making financial donations to 68 charities, including several to help wounded and paralyzed veterans. He’d often keep a gift card for a fast food restaurant in his wallet and en-joyed randomly giving those gift cards away to military personnel in uniform anytime he’d see one of them around town. No-body was a stranger, and he was always looking for a way to help, even if that meant just bringing a smile to the face of a passerby.

His love for animals was life-long. He enjoyed driving down to the Gandy Bridge in Tampa, where he’d feed a band of stray animals, fast becoming friends with them.

Prior to the pandemic, Ted attended Mass at two different churches in Tampa, frequently on the same day. His children joked that he was doubling down on trying to get to heaven.

He loved scotch, March Madness, The Masters, listening to Cara play the violin and teaching kids how to shoot a jump shot, all the essentials of life.

A memorial service for Teddy was held on Monday, April 11, at 3 p.m. at St Clements Episcopal Church.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital https:// www.cdceportal.va.gov/ donate_online/

The nurses, doctors and staff gave him incredible care and compassion, from years of routine check-ups up through his sudden pass-ing.