Theodore "Ted" Vaios Voulgaris

Theodore Vaios Voulgaris

November 17, 1927- September 22, 2024

Theodore (Ted) V. Voulgaris, 96, of Mechanicsburg, PA passed away peacefully on September 22, 2024 at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center West Shore Hospital in Mechanicsburg, PA after a brief illness. Ted was born on November 17, 1927 in Manchester, NH to parents Vaios and Despina (Pistolas) Voulgaris.

Ted graduated from Manchester Central High School in 1945. Between 1945-1947, Ted studied engineering at Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont and played on the University’s football and basketball teams. He served in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1951. That year he married his high school sweet heart, Elizabeth (Betty) Knowlton. Beginning in 1956, Ted enjoyed a 31-year-career with General Motors (GM) Pontiac Motor Division. GM transferred Ted many times and the family moved a half dozen times to four different states during his career. Ted loved New York City and especially enjoyed his position as the fleet car sales manager in the GM Building in downtown Manhattan. This position provided him with the opportunity to meet and socialize with several entertainment personalities, and he loved recounting these experiences to family and friends.

 After retirement, Ted consulted for several automobile dealers in Delaware. He also served on the Selective Service Board for five years. For someone of his generation, he adapted exceptionally well to the computer age and often spent hours on his computer researching all manner of subjects, or going for “drives” on Google Earth to visit many of his old haunts and places unknown.

 In some ways, Ted was the quintessential free-spirit. He loved music, particularly jazz and he always brightened up while playing the piano and occasionally picking up the guitar. While he didn’t own a drum set, he often had his drumsticks in hand to entertain whoever was in the room. He and Betty both shared a love of music. When they lived in Paoli, PA, they enjoyed going into Philadelphia to hear the Philadelphia Philharmonic and have dinner in the city. Ted also loved the game of golf and was quite a good golfer. He continued playing into his mid-eighties. 

 He is survived by his devoted and supportive wife of 73 years, Elizabeth Voulgaris and his three children: daughters Nancy Newpher and her husband Richard Newpher, Barbara Voulgaris, son Mark Voulgaris and his wife Sharon Voulgaris; two grandchildren: Melissa Mahoney and Cameron Voulgaris; and two great grandchildren, Tyler Mahoney and Sophia Mahoney. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Rita (Damadian) Voulgaris, his niece Alexis Voulgaris and nephew, William Voulgaris. He was predeceased by his brother, Alan Voulgaris and sister Electra Joaquin.