Obituary of Theodore R. Bailey

Ted Bailey, age 86, of Bath, died Monday, July 15, 2024, at the Steuben Center.  He was born September 12, 1937, to Walter and Hazel (Chase) Bailey. He married Barbara Kolodziejczak in 1959 and together they had five children, eight grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren.  You may remember him as the service repair guy who could fix almost anything in the big red van he drove around town making his service calls, or the “Howdy, Howdy, Howdy” on his answering machine.  He loved being in the woods surrounded in the peace and solitude of nature.   Most days you could see him putzing through the woods on his tractor or ATV with the sound of the chainsaw, cutting trees and clearing paths on the farm.  He was a graduate of Hammondsport Central School and served in the Army reserves.  In his early years he and his brother Bill were a part of the Rhythm Rangers band.  He played the guitar, banjo and piano, singing for many wedding receptions and calling square dances in his years.  He had previously worked at Taylor Wine Company, had a Gravely tractor dealership, worked at Gold Seal Winery and the Town of Wheeler before becoming self employed as a full-time service and repair man. 

He was predeceased by his wife Barb, his parents, his brothers Chuck, Jim, and Bill Bailey, sisters; Minnie Turner-Stanley, Mary Erway and Nellie Tobias.  He is survived by his children, Glenn (Chris) Bailey, Jim (Lisa) Bailey, Greg (Lynn) Bailey, Anne (Scott) Wise and Jennifer (Jeff) Stout; eight grandchildren, Becky, Anthony, Jeffrey, Ashley, Zachary, Christoher, Kristin and Stephanie and fifteen great grandchildren Kylie, Zachary, Leighla, Sawyer, Evelyn, Killian, Selah, Lydia, Bailey, Remi, Wyatt, Rory, Sullivyn, Jett and Chase. 

In accordance with his wishes there will be no services.   Burial will be at the convenience of the family.  Donations in his memory can be made to the Steuben Center Nursing Home Resident’s Activity Fund in Bath.