Theodore R. Tracy ’56

Theodore Richard Tracy was embraced by the arms of the Lord on June 8, 2026. Born in Lewiston, Maine, on April 18, 1935, he was the son of Martha Barrows Tracy and Rupert R. Tracy. Theodore was a proud graduate of Norway High School, Class of 1953, and graduated from Maine Maritime Academy in 1956.

On July 16, 1957, Ted and Eleanor were married. Ted served his country in the United States Navy as a weapons officer on submarines, which often required him to be away from home and out of contact with his family for months at a time. The family moved periodically from coast to coast, and Eleanor taught elementary school classes in several states, volunteered her time and talents in local communities and service organizations, and worked with Ted to raise their three children. However, no matter where they were living, Eleanor and Ted made sure to bring their children “Home” to Maine for holidays and summer vacations to spend time with their grandparents, extended family members and close family friends.

In 1973, as Ted approached retirement from his US Naval career, the family moved from Northern Virginia to the lovely town of Andover, Maine, and enjoyed life in their new home, which they named, “The Anchorage”. During the next few years Eleanor focused on parenting and homemaking. She and Ted became members of the Andover Congregational Church, and Eleanor volunteered in the Sunday School program. She also became an active member of the Andover Service Circle. She was especially proud of working with Andover community members to establish, Andover Olde Homes Day in 1976. As their children grew, Eleanor returned to teaching in the Western Maine area, and she earned a Masters Degree in School Administration. She worked as a principal at Woodstock Elementary School, Crescent Park Elementary, Oxford Hills Junior High School, and Molly Ockett Middle School. She also worked for the State of Maine Department of Education as a curriculum development specialist. Following her retirement from education, Eleanor worked as the Director of Operations at the Maine Conservation School located in Bryant Pond, Maine.

In 1977, Ted completed his career in the Navy at the US Navy BIW Shipyard and retired from military service. He worked for a time at the Rumford Falls Times in the advertising department, and then opened and operated a Strout Realty office in Hanover, Maine, for several years. Ted later decided to run for public office, and was elected Register of Probate. He loved this work with the public, and served as Oxford County Register of Probate from 1987 – 2002.

Ted was a member of the Blazing Star and the Bethel Masonic Lodges for 50 years, as well as the Kora Shrine which he joined in 1983. Ted also performed and competed as a member of the Oxford Hills Barbershop Chorus, the County Chords Quartet, and the Royal River Barbershop Chorus. Eleanor was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Jefferson Chapter, and the Sweet Adeline’s International female barbershop choruses in Oxford Hills and the Royal River Chorus.

Together, Eleanor and Ted trained, and served as hospice volunteers with Androscoggin Home Health Services, and after moving to Wiscasset, Maine, served as volunteers at the Midcoast Hospital in Brunswick, Maine.

Eleanor and Ted are survived by their children: Thea Dunn and her husband Michael, Timothy Tracy and his wife Kathy; Tara Tracy-Saunders and her husband Greg. Eleanor’s brother Richard Gay, sister Emilie Newell, and her husband Danny; Ted and Eleanor’s grandchildren Dariane (Dunn) Shaw, Jade (Dunn) Costello , Olivia Cluff, and Chad Cluff; great-grandchildren Bailey Shaw, Wyatt Shaw, Charlotte Shaw, Dempsey Eleanor Costello, and Cieran Costello.

Eleanor was pre-deceased by her brothers Harlan Gay and Norman Gay, and sister Eloise April. Ted was pre-deceased by his brothers Neil Tracy and Robert Tracy, and sister Marguerite (Tracy) Johnson.

Eleanor and Ted remained strong in their 91 years. They were devoted to their love for one another, and their family. They were a brave, loving, intelligent, multi-talented, hard-working couple who remained united despite the challenges that married life brings. During their 69 years of marriage they exemplified their common belief that a strong and loving family is key to a life well-lived.