Deacon Theodore “Ted” Gaskin

Posted

Deacon Theodore “Ted” Gaskin, who served at St. Pius X parish in Scarsdale, died Dec. 28 at The Enclave nursing home in Port Chester. He was 95.

Ordained as a permanent deacon in 1991, his only assignment was at St. Pius X.

He and his wife of 71 years, Alice, who survives him, were recognized in recent years as being among the longest-married couples in the archdiocese.

Deacon Gaskin was active in the sacramental and liturgical life of St. Pius X parish. He was involved in sacramental preparation, adult education and visiting the homebound. He served as chaplain for the Scarsdale Fire and Police departments and the American Legion Scarsdale Post 52.

He established a presidium of the Legion of Mary, which he served as spiritual director. He was curia president for all Legion of Mary groups in Westchester.

During World War II, he served in the 1st Marine Raiders Battalion, 1942-1945, when he was honorably discharged after he suffered serious injuries in Guam.

Deacon Gaskin, a machine gunner, was injured on a 1944 mission when a soldier in front of him stepped on a mine. He was blown from a cliff and fractured both his legs and a hip in the fall. Seven others died.

A native of Long Branch, N.J., he attended Seton Hall University on the GI Bill and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry. He held master’s degrees in education administration from Columbia University and in basic sciences from the University of Colorado.

He was managing editor of My Weekly Reader, published by American Education Publications, and director of science programs for the Scarsdale school district. He also taught in Pelham and at Marymount College and did construction work in Valhalla.

Besides his wife, he is survived by their three children, Jeffrey Gaskin, MaryBeth DaBramo and Ted Gaskin Jr., and five grandchildren.

A Funeral Mass was offered Jan. 2 at St. Pius X. Burial was at Mount Calvary Cemetery in White Plains.

Deacon Theodore “Ted” Gaskin