Where to begin!! When I was 7 yrs old my family moved to St. Croix - 1978. My mom got a job teaching at the Jr High school.. where I believe she met Mr. Seymour.. He took us out to Buck Island with a few family friends and his son..A few years later my family opened a coffee and tea shop behind The Piazza (best garlic bread ever). Mr. Seymour would come in often and have long conversations with my parents.. My brother and I would swim out to his boat a lot ..and a couple of times he would deny us coming aboard .but he did so with a smile! As I got older he entrusted me to babysit his beautiful lil girl and it was around this time I realized that for almost a decade he called me Charade… my name is Sharae..we had a good laugh! I remember him being so focused on sailing or running down the Nothside or engaging in lengthy conversations over good food. There are people who come into your life and you never forget them!! He is definitely someone that impacted me.. almost 5 decades later memories of Mr. Seymour feel like yesterday.. Sail on…Sail on!!
My heart felt condolences to his loved ones!! He left his mark on this world!!
1
Upon return from his historic world voyage, Teddy kindly attended my mother's Celebration of Life, where he delivered a beautiful eulogie, referencing their collegial teaching careers. Teddy's words were not only of great comfort, but inspirational. I cherish the handwritten copy of his speech, now even moreso!
Thank you, Teddy, for sharing your grace and extending the hand of comfort to our family. Your legacy continues to inspire globally, those who knew you and those who know of you!
Thank you,
Polly Ducey Avendano
1
Ted used to come over to our boat for dinner every once in a while when I was a kid. He was such a gentle soul. He and my dad would talk non-stop about boats, and I would be very bored. But I'm sure my parents soaked up all the knowledge as they went on to sail the same route around the world as him later on, so there was clearly a lot to learn from Ted. I mostly remember his warm smile and laugh. Sorry to hear of his passing, but glad to reflect on his well lived life on his own terms.
0
I knew Teddy as a fellow sailor, captain and boat owner having lived on my boat for 11 years in St. Croix 1978-89, and still living there now. I have many fond memories of Teddy. Perhaps the one that typifies him best is when he came to my overturned trimaran by dingy the day after Hugo (NOT an easy thing to do that day!) to see if I was still alive, but prepared to remove my lifeless body if necessary. Thankfully I had survived by escaping my boat during Hugo's eye. We had similar Hugo stories to share after that. I am honored to have known him and learned from him.
3
Ted was a wonderful sailing friend in St Croix— we shared many memorable times on Love Song. It was a morning ritual making oatmeal, & Ted would pass the pot around to share bites….. no reason to dirty any dishes ;-). Kathryn and I moved to St John & saw Teddy there often either on his boat or running the hills. His beautiful daughter Maya and our son Sean became friends in Coral Bay. Years later, we met up again in the PNW…. Ted was a humble man, an incredible runner & sailor. I am honored to call him my friend ——- RIP Captain Teddy, john
2
I am a cousin in-law and fellow sailor who got to know Teddy over the years. I sailed the Grenadines with him in the early 1990s. He was a highly skilled and fearless seaman and a wonderful person. It was an honor knowing him.
1
Teddy used to eat regularly at my food truck: Ana s Living Foods" , where we would have long conversations about many things, I loved listening to him and his wisdom always left me pondering and empowered at the same time. My favorite quote which he shared with me and still rings in my ear quite often , is :"The 5 "P's"- Proper. Preparation Prevents Poor Performance.
Will always be grateful for all the knowledge he so softly yet resolutely shared with me.
1
What an incredibly full life. Teddy overcame so many barriers with a "Cie la vie" gusto. The accomplishments speak for themselves education, track, sailing, USMC, teaching........
I knew Teddy from a far for years on St. Croix and when we finally connected it was explosive. We finally busted through reflecting on our tours with the USMC in Northern I Corps, Viet Nam (1967-1969). Ironically, we served in the same unit, Bravo 1st Battalion 12th Marines, a 105 howitzer 6 gun battery, in support of 2nd Battalion 3rd (2/3) Marines (Grunts). Teddy was attached to Hotel 2/3 as a forward observer, about one year before I too was attached to 2/3 CP, Hotel & Golf.
What an inspiration Teddy was and so, so humble...We'll all miss you Marine!!
Fair Seas & Following Winds.
Semper Fedelis Teddy!!
3
To the family of Teddy I send my heartfelt condolences ! Teddy and I worked together at the Italian Restaurant in Fredriksted in the late 70’s. I was bartender and he was a waiter, usually after he had taught school all day. We had way too much fun; often it involved making fun of some of the clientele. After about a year of us working together, I asked Teddy if he would take a sail trip down island. He agreed, the crew consisted of myself, my 4 year old son Lucas, my friend Cheryl and a local Cruzan Danny. He was the only one with sailing knowledge besides the Captn. We sailed on Love Song to Guadalupe, Dominica and Monserrat. We were gone about 2 weeks and had a great time. One of my fondest adventures. I moved to St John in the early 80’s and we kept in touch like gypsies do, by chance and an occasional phone call. My kids and I moved to Oregon in 85 and once again we would have an occasional rendezvous in Eugene. The home of his favorite cake I might add. I moved back to St J in ‘96 and we would have the annual catch up visit, he liked my fried chicken. In recent years I lost touch with him. He wasn’t the greatest phone person, nor am I. Other mutual friends and I tried to contact him one summer when I was visiting in Oregon to no avail. That same summer my daughter randomly ran into him there, I believe at the cake bakery. I would spend winters in St John and summers at our farm in Kansas. I tried to find him this past winter in the islands and finally learned that I had the wrong phone number and that he had moved to Oregon. And shortly thereafter the sad news arrived. We adored Teddy, he was a very kind and unique peaceful soul. I’m sad I missed seeing him the past few years. I have very few photos of that down island trip but many memories that make me smile. Mary Ladner fishbaymary@gmail. Erin and Lucas Scott are my children. Erin was 2 and didn’t make the trip, 40 years ago.
4
Captain Ted
Much gratitude for teaching the three of us
Gary, Cliff and myself Alan, how to manage a sailboat on the Caribbean seas. The first lessons on a 50 foot monohaul were exhausting and an adventure. I am grateful for the succession of sailing trips around the Caribbean we shared with you as our captain and friend. It was a dream come true; bonding and celebratory experiences for us as accomplished African American men exploring the African Diaspora. Rest in the peace of our ancestors. We will always think of you and our times together on earth.
4
1998, British Virgin Islands
1
Thank you, Ted, for all the sailing memories. We usually left at night because the wind would be just right for sailing down island to St. John, Virgin Gorda, Anegada, Dominica, Martinique, St. Lucia, and many small islands in between. Waking up in a peaceful little cove somewhere with gently rocking waves, a warm breeze, seagulls , pelicans, colors of blue, green and sparkling water are some of my best memories.
3
Share with others
Donate in memory
