Theodore Colangelo, 91

Theodore “Ted” Colangelo passed away peacefully at his home in Southport, Connecticut, on September 23, 2026, at the age of 91.

A longtime resident of Weston, Connecticut, and Vero Beach, Florida, Ted was born to Theodore and Giovina (Portfolio) Colangelo in New York City on September 6, 1935, and raised in Norwalk, Connecticut. He graduated from Fairfield Prep in 1953 and Brown University in 1957, where he earned a bachelor’s degree with distinction in English.

Ted served in the U.S. Coast Guard before launching a highly successful career in advertising. He began as a junior executive at Foote, Cone & Belding and, in 1968, founded his own firm, Ted Colangelo & Associates, in Greenwich, Connecticut.

During these entrepreneurial years, he met Katherine “Kay” McGovern Flanagan of Fairfield, Connecticut, who would become his wife of 59 years. Together, Ted and Kay raised three children, initially in Wilton, Connecticut, and later in Weston, Connecticut, where they built a life centered around friends and community. They were active, longtime members of the Weston Field Club and St. Francis of Assisi Parish.

After selling his business to Benton & Bowles, later DMB&B/Publicis, Ted embarked on what would become a remarkable 40-year retirement. He brought the same energy, drive, and creativity that had defined his career to an extraordinary range of interests, including travel, theater, photography, bicycle touring, antiquing, boating, backgammon, golf, tennis, and faithfully supporting his beloved New York Giants, Knicks, and Yankees. Ted also doted on his loyal chocolate Lab, Willy, whom he often said would be waiting and wagging at the “pearly gates.”

His greatest passion, however, was cooking. Ted was one of Martha Stewart’s early catering clients, and his lifelong interest in food eventually led him well beyond simply enjoying a good Italian meal. He honed his own culinary skills through classes with renowned chefs, including Marcella Hazan and Todd English. Cooking became one of the many ways Ted expressed his creativity, and he loved sharing his talents with friends and family. An invitation to dine at his table was always a memorable experience, and his recipes were in high demand.

Ted volunteered his culinary talents for various charitable organizations in Connecticut and Florida, and his cooking classes would produce bidding wars at fundraising events. He also served on numerous boards and committees throughout his life.

He was a founding member of the Advertising Club of Westchester, served on the board of the Weston Field Club, and was a former president of the Brown Clubs of Fairfield County and Palm Beach County. He was also a longtime member of Orchid Island Golf & Beach Club in Vero Beach, Florida, and Shorehaven Golf Club in Norwalk, Connecticut. Ted held longtime season tickets at Lincoln Center, Yankee Stadium, and the Goodspeed Opera House.

Ted is survived by his wife, Kay Colangelo of Southport, Connecticut; their daughter Lynn Creamer and her husband, Greg, of Peru, Vermont; their son Mark Colangelo and his wife, Daria (Bialek), of Long Island City, New York; their daughter Kate Steers Nye and her husband, Jeff, of Fairfield, Connecticut; Kay’s brother Edward Flanagan and his wife, Jane (Walter), of Boxford, Massachusetts; and his sister-in-law Carol Flanagan of Ketchum, Idaho. He is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. Ted was an only child who grew up spending most weekends and holidays in New Jersey with many of his mother’s ten younger siblings and their extended families.

“Poppy,” as he was known, is also survived by seven beloved grandchildren: Annie Creamer, Sarah Creamer, Grace Creamer, Luca Colangelo, Mia Colangelo, Cass Steers, and Teagan Steers. Ted was predeceased by his parents, Theodore and Giovina Colangelo; his brothers-in-law, Jack Flanagan and Billy Flanagan; and his son-in-law, John Steers.

Ted was a man of deep faith and a proud Italian American who cherished his family, his heritage, and the many friendships he made throughout his long life. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him, but he leaves behind a rich legacy of family, faith, creativity, and a life well-lived.

To sign his online guestbook, please visit www.shaughnesseybanks.com.