Obituary of Thaddeus P. "Ted" Coller

NORFOLK – Funeral services with Fireman Honors for Thaddeus P. "Ted" Coller, 77, a resident of 104 County Rt. 39, Norfolk, will be held at the Buck Funeral Home in Norfolk on Monday, December 9, 2024 at 11 a.m. with Pastor AJ Daniels of the Norwood Free Methodist Church presiding. Burial will be held in the Visitation Cemetery, Norfolk. Family and friends may call at the Buck Funeral Home in Norfolk on Sunday, December 8, 2024 from 1-3 and 6-8 p.m. Ted passed away unexpectedly Wednesday morning, December 4, 2024 while responding to a call to help a fellow community member. Ted is survived by his wife of 44 years, Darlene, Norfolk; two sons, Jason Coller and Justin Coller, both of Massena; his daughter, Heather Sullivan, Potsdam; his beloved eight grandchildren, Ryan, McKayla, Madison, Dylan, Dayna, Jessalyn, Hunter and Dekker; three great-grandchildren, James, Rosemary and Isaac; his brother, Francis "Fran" and Julie Coller, Raymondville as well as several nieces and nephews. Ted was pre-deceased by his parents and most recently, his daughter-in-law, Rebecca Jo "Beck" Tessier. Born in Potsdam, NY on May 10, 1947 to the late Paul E. and Helen Hurteau Coller, Ted graduated from Norwood-Norfolk Central School, Class of 1965. After graduation, Ted served in Vietnam with the U.S. Air Force with the Cobra Flight Special Forces Unit. A marriage to Mary Stacey in 1969 later ended in divorce and Ted married Darlene M. Greig on June 7, 1980. Ted worked as a Traveling Operator for Niagara Mohawk for 32 years. He was a devoted fireman of 54 years to the Norfolk Volunteer Fire Department and served in many capacities both on the local and county levels. Some of his positions include being the Deputy Fire Coordinator, a charter and member of the St. Lawrence County Underwater Recovery Team, a charter member of the Norfolk Rescue Squad, he was awarded a Certificate of Merit with the Red Cross (Highest Award) for life saving measures and was also the 1st EMT in St. Lawrence County. Ted also served on the 911 committee and the Fire Advisory Board. In his free time, Ted enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and trapping and was also a former Director and Board member of the Norfolk Rod and Gun Club and was a member of the Trappers Association. Memorial donations in Ted's memory can be made to the Norfolk Volunteer Fire Department or to the local ALS organization, Sandy's Steps, 267 St. Highway 37C, Massena, NY 13662 and memories and condolences may be shared online at www.buckfuneralhome.com . The family would like to thank the Norfolk Fire Department, Tylor Reynolds and the community for all the support they have shown during this time of loss. The Buck Funeral Home in Norfolk is serving the family of Thaddeus P. "Ted" Coller.