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02/01/2024 12:48 PMOn Jan. 19, 2024, Joseph “Ted” W. Blaha III, 72, a longtime resident of Killingworth, passed away at St. Francis Hospital, Hartford. Born on Nov. 21, 1951, to the late Joseph William Blaha Jr. and Dorothy (Meyer) Blaha, Ted grew up in Guilford with older sister Susan (Don) Fruhwald. He graduated from Guilford High School, Class of 1969, and, following a recovery from a near-fatal car accident, went on to honorably serve his country in the U.S. Marines with the 2nd Marine Air Wing during the Vietnam War.
Ted is survived by his wife of 45 years, Lauren (Kaharl) Blaha, and their children, Christina (Richard) Forristall, Joseph (Kristina) Blaha, and Rebekka Blaha. He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Olive and Hazel Forristall, and Ripley and Dune Blaha, as well as a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins, and mother-in-law Brenda Archambault. He was predeceased by his parents and father-in-law, Robert Kaharl.
Ted worked as a carpenter for the family business, Post Road Wood Products, beginning in high school and following his military service until he retired in 2006. A skilled craftsmen, he contributed to the construction and remodels of many historic homes along the Connecticut shoreline. He and his wife built a home and raised their family in Killingworth. An avid hunter and outdoorsman, Ted looked forward to his annual hunting trips in Maine with friends and was especially proud of the 8-point buck he shot in 2010. He was passionate about history and airplanes, especially military aviation. Ted was also renowned for his coupon clipping habit and prepping tendencies. Indeed, no one was more prepared for the pandemic than Ted Blaha and his family wanted not for toilet paper and other scarcities.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to Pathfinders, Inc. at 101 Paper Mill Road Killingworth, 06419, the conservation organization that protects and oversees the Deer Lake property in Killingworth, which borders the land where Ted built his family’s home.
Services and burial will be held privately. Arrangements are in care of the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church Street, Guilford. To share a memory or leave condolences, visit www.guilfordfuneralhome.com.