April 1936 - September 17, 2023
Peacefully passed away at Hospice Wellington in Guelph on Sunday, September 17th, 2023, at the age of 87. Predeceased by his beloved wife and best friend, Helen Colquhoun Cross (Blondie). Loving father of Cindy (Tim Ruf), Wendy, Susan (Dan Dowling), and grandchildren, Lauren, Travis, Jamie, Jeff, Tory, Michael as well as great-grandchildren Riley, and newly born Rowan. Ted will be dearly missed by Ryan Malcho, Yuki and Maya, along with all his nieces, nephews, family and dear friends across the globe.
Ted was born, raised, and went on to meet the love of his life, Helen, in Toronto, Ontario. They married in October of 1957 in Kirkland Lake, home of the Colquhoun family, and where many memories were made over the years with their three daughters. The young family moved between Toronto, Guelph, and Sarnia, following Dad as he grew his career into the incredibly impressive success that it became. No matter the city, Dad always made it feel like home.
After graduating from the University of Toronto in 1957 with a degree in Chemical Engineering, Ted began his first professional job at Lever Brothers as a Research Engineer. He then moved on as a Plant Engineer at Hart Chemicals in Guelph. In 1966, he successfully co-founded Chinook Chemicals in Sarnia, where he built the first Canadian methylamines plant at a ‘green field’ site based on licensed-in technology. In the early 80’s he became the Executive Director of Waterloo Centre for Process Development at the University of Waterloo until 1990.
From there, Ted went on to become the Associate Director of the Technology Transfer and Licensing Office, and by then, he and Helen called Waterloo home. After a fulfilling career with UW, he proudly retired and pursued his own consultancy company, ‘EB Cross and Company, Intellectual Property Management and Licensing’. Ted never fully retired, he would tell you he ‘still doesn’t know what he wants to do when he grows up’. In addition to volunteering his services at the Canadian Innovation Centre in Waterloo, he served on various boards over the years, including the Board of Trustees of the Licensing Executive Society- LES (USA and Canada).
Along with his vast work life, Ted had many interests and hobbies. From a young age, he always wanted to learn to fly. Ted successfully completed the training and officially received his wings in 1957. He began flying for the Canadian Air Force Reserve all while pursuing his career in the Chemical Engineering Industry, eventually flying for pure pleasure. Dad enjoyed staying active through numerous racquet sports, sailing, and counting his early bird ski runs right into his 80’s. Above all, he was fortunate to travel the world extensively through business and pleasure. He wrote about his trips with the kind of detail that made you feel you were traveling with him. With a household full of women, Ted decided to join the Big Brother Association in 1987, where he became Ryan Malcho’s Big Brother. Their loving relationship continued until the day he passed away.
Dad left a lasting impression on anyone he met and will be sorely missed by all his loved ones.
The family would like to thank the amazing staff and volunteers of Hospice Wellington in Guelph, for their incredible care and comfort over the last couple of weeks. We cannot thank them enough for their constant support, guidance, and ongoing efforts to create an environment where, even during such a difficult time, we were able to share memories and laughter.
A celebration of life will be held Thursday, September 28th, 2023, at Galt Country Club (750 Coronation Blvd, Cambridge) between 3-7 p.m.
As expressions of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, the family would dearly appreciate donations to The Canadian Cancer Society or Hospice Wellington.
Care for the family provided by Passages Cremation and Burial