Ted “Teddy” Martin Beal Sr. was born on Dec. 9, 1942 as the second of three children born to Fred and Eleanor Beal in Darien, Connecticut. He is said to have been named after Teddy Roosevelt and Ted Williams, his father’s heroes. The family lived with his paternal grandparents and moved to Rowayton, Connecticut in 1945, and later to Wethersfield, Connecticut in 1951. There, Ted played varsity basketball and baseball in high school, winning all conference honors in both. Ted graduated from Wethersfield High School in 1960 and continued his education at Bates College in Lewiston Maine.

A standout two-sport athlete at Bates, Ted earned multiple varsity letters in basketball and baseball. While a career-ending injury cut short his professional baseball ambitions, it proved to be a blessing in disguise. Ultimately, Ted’s love for the game was replaced by a much deeper, lifelong love for his wife of 60 years. Upon graduating in the spring of 1964 with his postgraduate plans upended, Ted joined his roommate working as a counselor at a YMCA Camp. It was there where he met Karen Bertelsen. Ted and Karen were married on Aug. 14, 1965 and settled at the Jersey Shore, where Ted embarked on an illustrious fifteen-year career in education.

After beginning as a fifth grade teacher, Ted sought to combine his passions for education and sport, and soon thereafter transitioned to teaching history, coaching baseball, and serving as the Athletic Director of Neptune High School. Ted quickly gained a reputation as the “The Boy Wonder” among more experienced administrators. All sports were important to Ted, from football to wrestling and gymnastics. He spearheaded the growth and popularity of soccer in Neptune by being the first to rent lights so night soccer games could be played. One famous story was when he brought in a drum and bugle corps to play at halftime because the school band didn't want to play at soccer games. Soon after the band and cheerleaders asked to participate! Ted initiated the Neptune Wrestling Classic which became one of the premiere holiday wrestling events in the state and served as the director of the Holiday Jubilee Basketball Tournament which became one of the most well known and competitive holiday tournaments in New Jersey His ingenuity in this role later led to him becoming the president of the New Jersey Shore Conference and Neptune’s assistant superintendent in charge of athletics and co-curricular activities. 

Yet, Ted’s greatest accomplishments in these roles were hardly his titles; he deeply understood the power of sports in bringing people together. During this time, Ted was elected to the Bates College Key and served as an Alumnus in Admissions volunteer. Ted’s positions in the school district afforded him the opportunity to interact with young men and women from all walks of life, inspiring him to lead some of Bates’ earliest multicultural recruiting efforts. His exceptional support in diversifying the Bates community was recently recognized with the Stella James Distinguished Service Award, which recognized his exceptional support in diversifying the College’s community.

In 1980, Ted began a remarkable transition from school administration to corporate success. With the help of lifelong friend and business partner John DeLiso, Ted cofounded the AXA/Equitable Retirement Benefits Group, which helped educators strengthen their financial well-being and retire with dignity. The two men built a national organization, on a handshake, modeled on their regional business. Ted retired leading a team with over 60 offices and more than 1,000 agents and managers.

Ted’s corporate success never changed who he was at his core: a man of deep faith with an unwavering devotion to his family. He frequently volunteered his time to Holy Trinity Church in Red Bank, NJ, serving on the Vestry, acting as chalice bearer, intercessor and reader in the liturgy, and leading youth groups. He even broadened his philanthropic efforts, partnering closely with Monmouth University, Wake Forest University, Bates College, and Rutgers University to create opportunities for generations of student athletes to attend college. Ted also gave generously, often anonymously, to organizations, family, friends, and countless people who crossed his path.

Ted will be most remembered by all who knew him as a coach and encourager. His words of positivity and perseverance are recalled by everyone who knew him. Friends and acquaintances alike tell stories of how Ted helped them return to church, feel proud of their endeavors, and see good in all things. As a friend recently described, he had “a gift of building people up.” He would always leave you with his famous words, “You’re the best!” Because of his infinite capacity to love, everyone he met walked away thinking they were his favorite - and in a way, they were.

Nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends all had a place in the huge heart of Ted Beal. He was famous for his Bear Hunts, bear hugs, his love of ice cream, his love for God’s creation, including the wild animals in nature. He famously encountered whales, boars, bison and bears in wild in many of his adventures. Ted loved being on the water and in his beloved boat, Eagles’ Wings, especially with his family. His and Karen’s home in Boothbay Harbor was a gathering place where all could feel truly welcome. 

In 2017, Ted was diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). Karen created a dedicated team to support him on this journey, including numerous friends, family members, neighbors, and especially his caregivers, Lloyd and Rhonda, whose unwavering devotion allowed Ted to live his very best life. Ted bore his sickness with dignity and grace. Even in this difficult period, he never gave up. He continued to exude love, strength and his infectious smile.

Although we grieve, we are not without hope, as we believe that he was received into the loving arms of Jesus. We are thankful that he does not have to suffer anymore. Our thoughts are now lifted as we await the Resurrection, when Ted will receive a new and wonderful healthy body and mind. We cannot wait!

Ted Martin Beal Sr. is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Karen Louise of Boothbay Harbor and Fair Haven, New Jersey; his three children: Katherine Haynes of Scarborough, Ted Beal Jr. and his wife Lynn of Shrewsbury, New Jersey; and Kristen Postma and her husband Matthijs of Amersfoort, The Netherlands.

He is also survived by his ten grandchildren: Martin Postma (Caroline) of Eatontown, New Jersey; James Beal (Natalie) of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina; Mark Postma of Charlotte, North Carolina; Matthew Beal (Braelyn) of Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina; Kristen Hughes (Nicholas) of Hebron; Jonathan Beal of Denton, North Carolina; Caroline Bakker (Thomas) of Sydney, Australia; Louise Postma of Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Timothy Beal of Anchorage, Alaska; and Margaret Postma of Lynchburg, Virginia; as well as his five great-grandchildren: Cooper, Finley, Michaela, Hudson, and Stephen; his sister, Jane Alice and beloved brother and sister in-laws, nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to AFTD https://www.theaftd.org/?campaign=794250 or Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Red Bank, New Jersey