At the age of 73, Theodore “Ted” Greene passed away unexpectedly on Monday, Dec. 23, 2019. He was born in Portland, Maine, on June 15, 1946, son of Dwight B. Greene and Leona N. (Dyer) Greene. He grew up on the family farm at Mac’s Corner in Sebago, attending Sebago schools and graduating from Potter Academy at Mud City. He then went on to graduate from the University of Maine Orono School of Agriculture.

He started 4-H at the age of nine, and spent many years raising and showing his Corriedale sheep and Guernsey cattle at the Cumberland and Fryeburg Fairs as well as the Eastern States Exposition. While in 4-H he traveled to many conventions including the National 4-H Club Congress in Chicago. Ted was a guest at the White House and was gifted a Blue Spruce tree from First Lady, Ladybird Johnson, that adorned the front lawn of the family farm up until 2018. While showing his Guernseys at the Fryeburg Fair he met his future wife Loretta, who was also a 4-H’er, from South Paris. They were married on January 27, 1968, in Norway, Maine.

After graduating from the University, he started working as herdsman at Gordonna Farm in Brandon, Vermont, later moving back to his home farm in Sebago.

As a young teen Ted started his work life at Ben Hardy’s garage in East Sebago, selling hand-cut block ice and pumping gas. After returning from Vermont he worked for Ralston Purina Grain Company in Steep Falls, was an artificial insemination farm technician for several years, truck driver with George Anderson and Sons in Sebago, had his own firewood business, drove school bus for the Sebago Elementary School, and later was the school custodian. At the time of his death he was caretaker for the Coburn Family Estate on Winn Mountain in Sebago, where he had been employed for nearly 20 years.

In 1964 Ted and his father built their own sugarhouse on the family property in Sebago, where he and Loretta established Greene Maple Farm. As a 5th generation sugarmaker, Ted strived to promote the art of making maple syrup and shared his knowledge with all who visited, as well as hosting thousands of school children over the years for educational field trips, hosting his last in March of 2019.

He belonged to many organizations throughout his life, including 57 years on the Sebago Fire Department, serving as Assistant Chief and multiple positions in the Fire Company.  He was also a member of the Sebago Rescue for many years, manned the red phone system and volunteered as a dispatcher from his home up until the 911 system came to town. He was a longtime member of the Maine Maple Producers Association, where he served as president, vice president, and secretary. He was a founding member of the Southern Maine Maple Producers Association. Ted served as a Selectman for the Town of Sebago as well as a Constable, and on various other town committees and other community organizations. He was considered a great orator who was asked to speak on many occasions, most notably at the annual Town meeting and lending his voice for the film “Maine Maple Syrup, The Sweetest Gift of Nature.”

Ted is survived by his wife Loretta; daughter Tara and husband Rob Wilson of North Baldwin; son Alan and wife Valerie of Sebago; and son Jason and wife Cathy of Rock Springs, Wyoming; his grandchildren Zoe and husband Chris, Phillip, Keira, Kassie and fiancé Jake; and also his sister JoAnne Greene Merritt. He was known as Paw to his grandkids as well as a very special friend, "little man" Levi.

Ted was predeceased by his parents Dwight and Leona Greene, his older brother Robert Greene, and infant sister Nancy.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Potter Academy Scholarship Trust Fund to help further the education of descendants of Potter Academy graduates. Checks may be made payable to: Potter Academy Alumni Association, and mailed c/o Sandra Libby, 121 Dow Road, Standish, Maine 04024.

Celebration of life services were held Sunday, Dec. 29th, at Sebago Town Hall.

Online condolence messages may be submitted at the Poitras, Neal & York Funeral Home website, www.mainefuneral.com