Theodore "Ted" Somogyi
Marriages
Sharon Hrozny - June 15, 1963
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 3D Obituary - January 27, 2019
Theodore "Ted" Somogyi June 28, 1941 - January 18, 2019
Ted Somogyi, age 77, of Palisade, died in the early morning hours of January 18, at the Community Living Center at the Veteran’s Medical Center, from complications of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), a neurodegenerative disease he battled for several years. Ted was born June 28, 1941, in Chicago, Illinois, the first of three children born to Theodore and Elizabeth Kostelny Somogyi. At an early age, the family moved to Westmont, IL, where Ted attended elementary school and was active as a Cub Scout and Boy Scout. While at Hinsdale High School, he held several jobs including a paper route with one of his good friends. During high school, he met his future wife, Sharon Hrozny. Following his 1959 graduation from high school, he attended college at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL, where he became a member of Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity. Ted left college and began a career in the sheet metal trade. Ted and Sharon married June 15, 1963, in Clarendon Hills, IL, at the Christ Lutheran Church, the same church he attended as a young boy. Ted actively served in the US Army from 1966-1968, first at Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, AL, where he was an instructor, then in Vietnam at an Ammo Supply Point near Qui Nohn. He returned home in 1968 as a SPC 5 and resumed his career in sheet metal, becoming a restaurant equipment installation supervisor. On a vacation trip to Colorado, Ted and Sharon purchased acreage in the Fruitvale area and retuned to Illinois where their daughter Nicole was born in 1969. They moved to Colorado in 1970 and for the next couple of years, Ted worked in construction, farming, and at night, power sweeping parking lots for a friend. He eventually bought the small business and built it into Ted’sSweeping Service Inc., that he operated for more than 42 years until poor health forced him to retire in 2013. In 1976, the family moved to Palisade where their son, Anthony, was born. Ted served for many years on the town’s Board of Trustees and on the Volunteer Fire Department as an EMT, Firefighter, and Fire Chief. He lobbied for and was instrumental in the purchase of the town’s first ladder truck and the restoration of "Old Red," the fire department’s first motorized fire truck. In addition to helping those in need, he especially enjoyed hosting festivities at the Palisade Park on the Fourth of July and decorating the town for Christmas. Ted was active as a Cub Scout Leader and Boy Scout Assistant Scoutmaster with the local troop. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and watching the Broncos, Rockies, and Avalanche. He was interested in antiques and refinished many pieces of antique furniture. He also enjoyed working on his home and spending time with his family. He had a great personality, was fun loving, had a wonderful sense of humor, and was a constant comedian who lifted the spirits of those around him. He had natural leadership ability, was quick witted, and spoke his mind. He was selfless, and always gave his time and talents to help or improve others. He was a wonderful husband, father, and "Papa." Ted was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include Sharon, his wife of 55 years; daughter, Nicole (Daniel) Denham of Freedom, OK; son, Tony (Korey) of Gypsum, CO; grandchildren, Cameron and Brooke Denham, and Noel and Andee Somogyi; brother, Robert of Westmont, IL; sister, Betty (Jim) Gunterman of Lombard, IL, and nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends who will sorely miss him. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to so many who took kind and loving care of Ted, including those of First Light, VA Medical Center, VA Home Bound Team, and the staff at the VA Community Living Center. A memorial service for Ted will be held at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary, 2515 Patterson Road, Grand Junction, Saturday, February 2 at 11:00 a.m. followed by a reception with light refreshments. Inurnment with Military Honors will be held at Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, 2830 Riverside Parkway, Grand Junction, on Monday, February 4 at 10:00 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made in Ted’s name to Shriner’s Hospital for Children, Fairfax Road at Virginia Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84103. Contributions can also be made to support Veterans locally in Ted’s name to the Western Region One Source or the Veterans Memorial Cemetery Fund, both at 2830 Riverside Parkway, Grand Junction, CO 81501.
The Daily Sentinel page 6C - January 19, 2020
Gone are the days
we used to share
But in our hearts you
are always there
Never more than
a thought away
Loved and remembered
every day.
Your Loving Family,
Sharon
Nicole and Daniel, Cameron and Brooke
Tony and Korey, Noel and Andee
