Obituary of Theodore Joseph Lovelass

After living a blessed and full life, Theodore Joseph Lovelass ”Ted”, 77, passed peacefully on December 20, 2022.

Born in Schenectady, NY to his late parents Theodore Joseph and Mary Elizabeth (Craig) Lovelass, Ted grew up in Rotterdam and graduated from Mohonasen High School. In 1968, he married the former, Diane Marie McAllister, and together they raised their family and supported one another in life and business for over 50 years.

At an early age he learned what it meant to be a hard worker, running a paper route and working in the family business, Midget Market, located on Helderberg Avenue. After graduating high school in 1963 Ted continued his education at Oneonta College, but with his father’s passing, soon returned home to help his mom with the family business. Always being a hard worker, he then accepted a management training position in Syracuse, which quickly led to a full-time position managing the Carrol’s Drive-In, on Nott Terrace, in Schenectady. Ted developed a love for the food service industry and was hired as an assistant manager for the Flavorland in Rotterdam. He was then promoted to manager of other locations and oversaw the construction of a new Flavorland in Clifton Park. In 1976 he began his final career when he and Diane purchased the Galway Market, fulfilling a dream to own his own business.

Ted and Diane started their family while living in the Schenectady neighborhood of Bellevue, then moved back to his childhood home in Rotterdam.  Shortly after purchasing the Galway Market, Ted and Diane purchased a home in the small rural community of Galway, where they remained until his passing. Ted took great pride in being a father and grandfather. His family brought him great joy, he was a supportive figure in their lives and always made time for them. He and Diane enjoyed vacationing in Myrtle Beach, traveling in their motorhome and visiting fun destinations like Disney, Busch Gardens and the beautiful Adirondacks.

He was a distinguished member of his community, where he received many service awards and certificates of appreciation, and was a founding member of the Galway Lions Club. Ted was involved in countless fundraisers, employed hundreds of community members through the years, and treasured his relationships with his customers.  If he wasn’t taking a few hours to catch one of his children’s or grand-children’s extra-curricular events, he could always be found behind the counter or register at the Market.

Ted was an avid sports fan. He spent many years umpiring baseball, coached youth baseball and summer league basketball, and was always in attendance if his kids were involved. He will certainly be remembered as a die-hard Yankee fan, but his favorite players to watch were always his children and grandchildren. Another passion of Ted’s was college hockey; for over 30 years he had season tickets to watch the Union College Dutchman, and was proud to be in attendance when they won their NCAA Championship in 2014. Ted also enjoyed golfing. He was both a member of the NY Telephone Golf League and the Ballston Spa Country Club for many years, and loved to play with his son and grandsons.

To continue his legacy are his loving wife, Diane Lovelass; cherished children, Kevin Joseph (Melissa) Lovelass and Jennifer Marie (Steven) Galarneau; beloved grandchildren, Ryan Joseph Lovelass, Joshua Thomas Lovelass, Matisha Kenyon, Joannis Galarneau, and Noah Galarneau; brother, Ronald (Sherry) Lovelass; half brothers, Donald and Roger Lovelass; brother-in-law, Thomas (Becky) McAllister; as well as many Craig family cousins and several nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, 2501 Troy-Schenectady Rd, Niskayuna, on Saturday, May 27th at 11 AM. Relatives and friends are welcome to join the funeral procession from Glenville Funeral Home, 9 Glenridge Rd; please arrive by 10:30 AM.

Memorial donations may be made to Lions Eye Bank of the Northeast, 4 Tower Place Suite 601 Albany, NY 12203. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Glenville Funeral Home —glenvillefuneralhome.com