Obituary for Theodore "Ted" Potter
Theodore (Ted) Potter, age 90, of Richmond Shores, Richmond, MA died May 2, 2022 at Berkshire Medical Center.
Born in New York City on October 11, 1931, son of Harriet and Robert Potter, Ted grew up in White Plains, NY. He graduated from White Plains High School in 1949 where he had been a member of the football and track teams. He then attended Williams College where he again was a member of the football team and graduated in 1953 with a B.A. degree.
While at Williams he joined the U. S. Naval Reserve in Pittsfield in 1951 during the Korean conflict. He served on active duty aboard the USS Cross, DE 448, from 1953 to 1955 and remained a member of the Ready Reserve until 1970 retiring as a Lieutenant Commander. Following Ted's active service with the Navy he attended Columbia University Graduate School of Business graduating with a M.B.A. in 1957.
Upon graduation Ted joined Norton Company in Worcester, Massachusetts where he was a member of the financial controller’s staff. In 1959 he transferred to the International Division of Norton Company and traveled extensively throughout western Europe eventually moving with his family to live for one year in France followed by two years in England. Upon his return to the U.S. Ted went into the banking business, first with National Shawmut Bank in Boston in 1970 and then Guaranty Bank and Trust in Worcester in 1973. While at Guaranty Bank he helped form the Conifer Group Bank Holding Company which included Berkshire Bank and Trust Co. of Pittsfield and in subsequent years a number of other Massachusetts banks. Ted served as Financial Controller and Executive Vice President at Berkshire Bank and Trust from 1979 to 1983.
Ted left the banking business in 1988 to go into business for himself in Pittsfield by forming American Speedy Printing Co. with Jean Haywood. They sold the business in 2008.
While in Pittsfield Ted was active with the Central Berkshire Chamber of Commerce as a Director and chair of the Small Business Committee, the Rotary Club of Pittsfield serving as Treasurer for a number of years and on the Board of Directors. Ted was a recipient of the Rotary Butler and Paul Harris awards for service. He also was active with the Town of Richmond serving on the Conservation Commission, as an Assessor and on several other Town committees. Ted enjoyed outdoor activities of skiing, hiking, bicycling and traveling. While with Rotary he traveled to Australia as part of an exchange team and made numerous extended trips to Colorado, California and Norway to visit his children and their families. Ted was predeceased by his parents and son James of Oak Creek, Colorado and his brother Bob of St. Augustine, Florida. He leaves his former wife Jean Case Potter of Shrewsbury, MA.; sons David (Denise) of Jaffery, New Hampshire; Charles (Heidi) of Norway; and daughter Cynthia of Eagle Vail, Colorado. Four grandchildren, Ryan, Kathryn, Stella and Knut Theodore. He also leaves his long-time companion and business partner Jean Haywood and his extended Haywood and Maguire families.
A huge thank you goes out to Berkshire Medical staff that cared for Ted and especially to those one-on-one staff members including Mass National Guard.
As requested by Ted there will be no calling hours and burial will be private. A memorial service will be held on FRIDAY, May 20, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford Street, Pittsfield.
Memorial donations in Ted's name may be made to the Berkshire Humane Society c/o Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford St., Pittsfield, MA 01201.
Born in New York City on October 11, 1931, son of Harriet and Robert Potter, Ted grew up in White Plains, NY. He graduated from White Plains High School in 1949 where he had been a member of the football and track teams. He then attended Williams College where he again was a member of the football team and graduated in 1953 with a B.A. degree.
While at Williams he joined the U. S. Naval Reserve in Pittsfield in 1951 during the Korean conflict. He served on active duty aboard the USS Cross, DE 448, from 1953 to 1955 and remained a member of the Ready Reserve until 1970 retiring as a Lieutenant Commander. Following Ted's active service with the Navy he attended Columbia University Graduate School of Business graduating with a M.B.A. in 1957.
Upon graduation Ted joined Norton Company in Worcester, Massachusetts where he was a member of the financial controller’s staff. In 1959 he transferred to the International Division of Norton Company and traveled extensively throughout western Europe eventually moving with his family to live for one year in France followed by two years in England. Upon his return to the U.S. Ted went into the banking business, first with National Shawmut Bank in Boston in 1970 and then Guaranty Bank and Trust in Worcester in 1973. While at Guaranty Bank he helped form the Conifer Group Bank Holding Company which included Berkshire Bank and Trust Co. of Pittsfield and in subsequent years a number of other Massachusetts banks. Ted served as Financial Controller and Executive Vice President at Berkshire Bank and Trust from 1979 to 1983.
Ted left the banking business in 1988 to go into business for himself in Pittsfield by forming American Speedy Printing Co. with Jean Haywood. They sold the business in 2008.
While in Pittsfield Ted was active with the Central Berkshire Chamber of Commerce as a Director and chair of the Small Business Committee, the Rotary Club of Pittsfield serving as Treasurer for a number of years and on the Board of Directors. Ted was a recipient of the Rotary Butler and Paul Harris awards for service. He also was active with the Town of Richmond serving on the Conservation Commission, as an Assessor and on several other Town committees. Ted enjoyed outdoor activities of skiing, hiking, bicycling and traveling. While with Rotary he traveled to Australia as part of an exchange team and made numerous extended trips to Colorado, California and Norway to visit his children and their families. Ted was predeceased by his parents and son James of Oak Creek, Colorado and his brother Bob of St. Augustine, Florida. He leaves his former wife Jean Case Potter of Shrewsbury, MA.; sons David (Denise) of Jaffery, New Hampshire; Charles (Heidi) of Norway; and daughter Cynthia of Eagle Vail, Colorado. Four grandchildren, Ryan, Kathryn, Stella and Knut Theodore. He also leaves his long-time companion and business partner Jean Haywood and his extended Haywood and Maguire families.
A huge thank you goes out to Berkshire Medical staff that cared for Ted and especially to those one-on-one staff members including Mass National Guard.
As requested by Ted there will be no calling hours and burial will be private. A memorial service will be held on FRIDAY, May 20, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford Street, Pittsfield.
Memorial donations in Ted's name may be made to the Berkshire Humane Society c/o Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford St., Pittsfield, MA 01201.