Theodore Vail

CASCO — Theodore (Ted) M. Vail, 61, of Casco, crossed to the other side Feb. 25, 2014, at the Pittsburgh VA Hospital while undergoing transplant surgery.

Ted was born July 7, 1952, in Springfield, Mass., the second child of J. Robert and Helen Korpi Vail. He attended schools in Mass, and N.Y., as well as Paul Smiths College in N.Y.

Ted came from a military family. Both his parents served in WWII, and his brother Bob, like Ted, served in the Coast Guard.

Ted was an avid outdoorsman. He loved hunting, fishing, downhill skiing, canoeing, kayaking and kite flying. He was always on the lookout for wildlife. Seeing an eagle, moose or deer was a great joy. Maine was his adopted state and he enjoyed exploring all of it. He was also a vocal fan of the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots. Before becoming disabled, Ted drove a tractor-trailer for New England Motor Freight (NEMF), and was awarded many safety awards. He also worked as a warehouseman and dabbled in furniture making.

For Ted, family always came first. He never hesitated to be there when a family member was in need. He helped with numerous family moves, and you always knew his advice came from his heart. He is survived by his wife and soul mate of 23 years, Joanne Legere-Vail; two stepsons and their families: Jeffrey Gagne, wife Becka and two children Oceanna Rose and Rowan Pierre of Franklin, Maine; Jeremy Gagne and daughters Mikayla Olivia and Addison Cecile of Barre, Vt.; his mother, Helen Korpi Vail of Bondville, Vt.; two sisters and their families: Debora Zolnoski and husband Mick of Calif., and children Laura of Tex. and Joe of Calif.; Irene Kreissle and husband Richard of Keene, N.H.; and sister-in-law Mickie Vail of Wash. Ted also leaves behind brothers and sisters-in-law, numerous cousins and lots of friends. Ted was predeceased by his father, J. Robert, and his brother Bob.

The family would like to thank Dr. Erinn Wright and Dr. Richard Beveridge, two exceptionally caring doctors, who treated Ted for the last several years.

Ted is being remembered as a gentle, kindhearted man with a great chuckle. Ted and his spirit are greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Another star shines over us.

If you care to, donations can be made in Ted’s memory to VAVS Homeless Assistance, Dept. of VA Affairs, Voluntary Services, 1 VA Center, Augusta, ME 04330, or to Casco Cares (a fuel assistance fund), PO Box 22, Casco, ME  04015.

The greatest gift of all would be to register as an organ donor.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Casco Village Church on March 30, 2014 at 2 p.m. It would please Ted to look out and see Red Sox and Patriot hats being worn during his service as well as military attire.

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