Edmund "Ted" James Pilling, 77, of Blue River, CO, passed away peacefully on August 5, 2024, surrounded by his family. The son of Edmund Pilling and Irene Margaret Herlihey, Ted was born and raised in Fall River, MA. He graduated from Bishop Stang High School in Dartmouth, MA, where he met Cindi, his wife of 54 years, who was at Bishop Stang HS at the same time.

Upon graduation from high school, Ted attended Johnson & Wales University where he earned an associates degree in business.

Ted was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He was stationed at United States Strategic Air Command (SAC) headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base near Omaha, NE. During his time in the Air Force, Ted worked on computer systems and logistical planning associated with Air Force battle management operations around the globe. Ted held a top secret clearance during the Vietnam War.

After being honorably discharged from the Air Force, Ted began a long and productive commercial career as an IT infrastructure and systems manager. Ted’s employers included Electronic Data Systems (EDS), a Ross Perot company, and Steelcase, a Grand Rapids, MI, office furniture manufacturer from which he retired in 2003.

Shortly after retiring, Ted and Cindi relocated to Breckenridge, CO, where they bought their dream home overlooking Quandary Mountain, one of Colorado’s “14ers” (a mountain peak higher than 14,000 feet above sea level).

Ted was an avid golfer, skier, and “doer” of puzzles including crosswords and Sudoku and had a passion for trading opinions on national and local politics. He integrated these interests into work and volunteer activities during his retirement years. Ted worked in various roles at Breckenridge Ski Resort including a ski area greeter and in guest services operations. During the summer, Ted worked as a Player Assistant at the Breckenridge Golf Club, where Ted forged many relationships with the staff and members of the local golfing community.

Ted served his local community as a volunteer and elected official. In 2016, Ted joined the Planning and Zoning Commission of the Town of Blue River, CO. He was elected to a first term as a Trustee of the Town of Blue River in 2018 and was re-elected to a second term in 2022.  During that time, Ted served on the Finance Committee. He was instrumental in hiring Blue River's Police Chief and establishing the bus service route between Fairplay and Breckenridge, which many residents rely on for transportation to their jobs in Breckenridge. Ted advocated vigorously for issues he believed in, including environmental sustainability, short-term rental regulations, public safety, and traffic safety.

Ted will be remembered as a kind, outgoing, fun-loving, open-hearted man who was quick to flash a smile, crack a joke, and offer advice and counsel to friends and colleagues. His love of family guided all he did and he cherished time with family and friends. He was an intensely proud father and grandparent, often enjoying telling stories about the many achievements and adventures of his sons, grandchildren, and granddogs.

He is survived by his wife Virginia Cynthia “Cindi” (Senna) Pilling, sister Eileen Blake of Somerset, MA, sons Derek (Wendy) Pilling and Aaron Pilling, and grandchildren, Sophia, Anna, and Reid Pilling.

Ted requested a celebration of life be held in his honor, which the family hopes to host in September. The family will publish the time and place of the celebration of life once arrangements are complete.

Instead of flowers, the family suggests donations in Ted’s name to Folds of Honor, a nonprofit organization that provides life-changing educational scholarships to the spouses and children of American fallen soldiers and first responders, and the Humane Society of Boulder Valley.

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