Theodore A. LaBorde 68 of Easthampton passed away Sunday February 5, 2017 at Bay State Medical Center surrounded by his loving family. He was born February 10, 1948 in Boston and was the son of the late Frank C. LaBorde Jr. and Phyllis M. (Sprissler) LaBorde. Ted attended Holyoke Community College and Westfield State College earning an Associates Degree in Political Science. He proudly served in the US Navy for over 8 years aboard the USS Taconic and USS Fulton during the Vietnam War and received the National Defense Service Medal; he was honorably discharged in 1974. Ted began his career as a reporter with the Hartford Courant prior to joining the Springfield Republican where he worked for 38 years retiring in 2012. After retirement he continued to write as a special reporter for MassLive. Ted loved the sport of archery and was an avid archer and bow hunter his entire life. For 20 years he owned and operated an archery store called Target Archery. He also coordinated and managed an 
annual national archery competition with the Outdoor Sportsmans Group for a number of years and was a long time member of the Granby Bow and Gun Club. Ted was also a former exalted ruler and member of the Chicopee Elks Lodge 1849. He leaves his beloved wife of 47 years Linda M. (Regan) LaBorde, his children Ted LaBorde and his wife Cely of Southwick, Michelle Faucher and her partner James McDonald of West Springfield, Megan Mullaly and her husband Jason of Easthampton, his brothers Robin LaBorde and his wife Jane of Granby, Frank LaBorde and his wife Diane of Wichita, KS, his in-laws Paul Rondeau of Palmer, Maureen and Phillip Gassnola of Springfield, his son in-law Jason Faucher of West Springfield and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. He was the greatest Papa, Papi and Grandpa to his 5 Grandchildren Kelsie Colby, Madisen Faucher, Tyler and Ethan Mullaly and Quentin LaBorde. He was also the greatest Grandpaw to Lucy and Molly. His best friend and fourth child was his late golden lab Brandy, who he missed dearly. She could never be replaced. Besides his parents he is predeceased by his sister Sandra Rondeau. Ted always gave his greatest effort at everything he set out to do in life and was a fantastic role model for his children. He will be remembered for his kindness, honesty and hard work. He was truly the best friend you could ever have. His family would like to thank Dr. Flack and nurses Sharon, Kim, Ricardo, Kris, Helen, Vicki, Kim G. and the many other doctors and nurses in the critical care cardio unit at Baystate Hospital for their endless efforts. Also, they would like to thank the ER doctors, nurses and staff at Cooley Dickinson Hospital for everything they did. Ted’s funeral service will be held Saturday, at 4:00 PM February 11th at the Boucher-O’Brien Funeral Home, 7 Pleasant St. Easthampton. Calling hours will be from 1:00 pm until the time of the service at 4:00 pm. Burial with military honors will be held in the future at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to “The Friends of the Westfield Senior Center” PO box 2184 Westfield MA 01086 Or “Domus, Inc. – Our House” for unaccompanied youth located at 48 Broad St. Westfield MA 01086 Or the Granby Bow and Gun Club at 85 Chicopee St. Granby MA 01033
