Ted (Edward) Markham Bosworth

Ted (Edward) Markham Bosworth of Ithaca, New York passed away February 15th, 2022, at the age of 89. He was born February 1, 1933 in Lima, Peru to parents Ruth (Holway) and Kenneth Bosworth.

Ted came to the US for boarding school at Williston Academy in Massachusetts when he was 13 and then attended Oberlin College where he received his Bachelor’s degree in Botany in 1957. School vacations were spent with family in Ithaca since it was difficult to return home to Peru for visits. Although not yet a citizen, Ted was drafted into the U.S. army in 1957 where he served in Hanau, Germany for two years and met his wife, Charlotte (Schmidt). Ted and Charlotte moved to the U.S. and married in 1961.

Ted received his MLS in Library Science from Drexel University in 1963 and worked at Temple University for 5 years before returning to Ithaca with Charlotte to raise their daughters, Monica and Jenifer. Starting in 1968 Ted worked for 27 years in the Cornell University Libraries, mostly as a Bibliographer at Mann Library in the Agricultural School. He was much beloved by his many colleagues, one of whom recently wrote: “Ted was a treasured colleague.  He was a pillar of gentle, kindly civility and good sense.… I remember crying when Ted retired because I knew he was a special kind of colleague I’d likely never have again.” And another wrote, “he was one of God’s great gentlemen.”

Ted was a longtime active member of the First Congregational Church of Ithaca, where he enjoyed singing in the choir and playing handbells. After retirement he volunteered for many years at the local public library.  From a young age Ted enjoyed sports (soccer and downhill skiing), camping, singing, playing the harmonica, and sharing silly poetry. He also enjoyed yard work, small carpentry projects, travel and sharing songs and stories of his youth with his family. And he was always ready for dessert! His sense of humor and kind heart prompted many laughs and smiles.

Ted was known for his good nature and generous spirit. He was a wonderful father & grandfather, a loving & supportive husband, a good friend and colleague and a profoundly decent human being.

Ted was preceded in death by his parents, Ruth and Kenneth, brother Norman Bosworth, and nephew Norman Ford. He is survived by his wife Charlotte, daughters Monica BosworthViscuso (Paul) and Jenifer Bosworth (Riccardo Casalini), his sister Peggy Bosworth Hall, and grandchildren Sophia and Francesca (BosworthViscuso), Arianna and Leonardo (Casalini), and Jeremy (Gamble), nieces Alison Ford and Barbara (Schmidt) Spiess.

A memorial ceremony in celebration of Ted’s life will take place at the First Congregational Church of Ithaca, NY on Saturday May 14th at 2:00 pm with refreshments to follow. People are welcome to attend the service in person or via livestream at https://fccithaca.org/livestream/.

In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting either the First Congregational Church of Ithaca Outreach Team or their Sanctuary Ministries Team (www.fccithaca.org) or The Finger Lakes Independence Center at https://fliconline.org/FLIC/donate/ .