Obituary and photo courtesy of Vander Plaat Funeral Home.
Theodore “Ted” Allen, 33, passed away on August 3, 2023 surrounded by family after a courageous 19- month-long battle against cancer.
Ted was raised in Basking Ridge, New Jersey and was a 2007 graduate of Ridge High School. He went on to play NCAA football at Gettysburg College as a brother of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. It was at Gettysburg College that Ted met the love of his life, Liane Comanto. Following graduation from Gettysburg, Ted worked as a Senior Consultant at Deloitte before establishing himself as the Assistant Vice President of Foreign Exchange at Brown Brothers Harriman in New York City.
While his professional prowess was indisputable, his expertise and talents stretched far beyond finance. Ted’s vast knowledge of history, geography, and politics made him an impressive master of the nightly Jeopardy! board and a constant source of intelligent and thoughtful conversation. His knowledge of the Civil War, especially the Battle of Gettysburg, could rival that of even the most experienced battlefield tour guide. A lifelong student of the game of football and fan of the Buffalo Bills, Ted seemingly had the ability to predict any play or penalty before it even occurred on the field. He had a love for international travel; from Japan to Spain to Africa, his favorite memories were always those made on the road alongside Liane. Ted was also a spiritual man whose strong, unwavering faith in God enabled him to endure his greatest trials.
Those who were fortunate enough to meet Ted know that it was his intangible qualities that made him so special. Ted would instantly light up any room he entered, making everyone laugh and even the newest acquaintances feel like old friends. During any conversation, Ted had an incredible talent of making someone feel like the most important person in the world. His humor and charisma were magnetic; to know Ted was to love him. But it was in his roles as husband to Liane and father to Jack and David, that Ted truly shined. He was a perfect partner and the epitome of love and devotion, even during the hardest of times. Ted’s legacy will live on in his sweet boys and his family will work to honor his memory everyday by living life as joyfully as Ted would’ve wanted.
In addition to Liane and his sons, Ted will be deeply missed by his parents, Jane and Steve Allen of Basking Ridge, NJ; his sister Laura, brother-in-law Hal, and nephew Sterling Fuchsman of New York City; his mother-in-law and father-in-law Christina and Anthony Comanto of Wyckoff, NJ; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Stephen and Katie Comanto and niece Claire of Wyckoff, NJ; and legions of aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends whose lives Ted so meaningfully touched.
The family will receive friends and family on Thursday, August 10th from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home, www.vpfh.com, 257 Godwin Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ 07481. A Funeral Mass will take place on Friday, August 11th at 10:00 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Church, 700 Wyckoff Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ 07481.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in support of Ted’s boys, Jack and David, by visiting https://gofund.me/c4e14920.