Obituary of Theodore R. Hadley

Theodore (Ted) R. Hadley  8/25/1935 - 6/23/2018

Born August 25, 1935; son of the late Theodore and Marie (Stevenson) Hadley; in Lockport, NY.    Attended St. John’s Catholic School and graduated in 1953 from DeSales High School. Served in the United States Marine Corps from 1955-58, discharged with the rank of Sergeant.  Ted was often asked, “at 140 pounds, what got you through the Corps?” “Guile,” he usually replied.

Ted graduated from State University College of Buffalo in 1962 with a degree in education and began a 35 year career with the Lockport City School District, mostly as a teacher at North Park Middle School, but he spent seven years as Supervisor of State and Special Projects for the district where he served as district spokesperson.  He also edited several district publications and developed “Teaching Partners”, a New York Statewide publication for reading teachers. Ted retired from Lockport in 1995 but returned to help initiate the district’s “Lockport Opportunities” program.

In 1974, Ted began a multi-decade second career as an arts critic for the Lockport Union Sun & Journal, specializing in theater critiques, an avocation that led to reviewing work for several WNY dailies, The New York State Council On The Arts, The Mid-Atlantic Arts Consortium, radio (WKBW, WLVL … The Theater Guy) and since 2001, a contributing reviewer for The Buffalo News.  Ted loved theater; he was very proud of North Park’s Zodiac Players where his teenaged casts performed over 100 plays, many “on the road”.

Ted served on the church council at St. Bridget’s; served on the board of the Niagara Historical Society; served over 30 years on the Lockport Salvation Army Advisory Board, including a term as board chairperson.  

Ted is survived by his wife and soul mate of 57 years, Marie (Licata) Hadley, and three daughters; Kristin Hadley Thompson, Elizabeth (Leo) Bax and Annemarie (Tim) Birdsall, all of Newfane.  Also, “Papa” to seven grandchildren: Hadley Promise, Elijah and Niamh Thompson; Leo and Lauren Bax; and Timothy and Richard Birdsall. Ted is predeceased by brother Jack (Jeanne) Hadley and sister, Jean (Stan) Dysinger.  Ted is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.

No prior visitation.  There will be a Memorial Celebration of Life on Friday June 29, 2018 at 10:00am, at UB Newman Center, 495 Skinnersville Road, Amherst NY 14228.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Niagara Hospice, 4675 Sunset Drive, Lockport NY 14094.