Dad (1924-2018)

My adopted father, the Reverend Edwin S. Gault , Jr. (Ted), 93, entered into eternal rest at home on Monday, January 8, 2018.

He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1924 to Edwin and Helen Gault. In April of 1943, he enlisted in the US Navy during World War II and was initially assigned as a Seaman Apprentice. The majority of his service was on the USS Adair and finished on the SS Bound Brook. He was awarded the European Theater Ribbon, the Pacific Theater Ribbon, the American Theater Ribbon and the WW II Victory Medal during his 3-years of Service; honorably discharged in March of 1946 with the rank of Signalman 2^nd Class Petty Officer.

With the help of the GI Bill, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Dickinson College, continued his graduate studies at Oxford University earning a Masters of Divinity from Yale University Divinity School. At the University of Edinburgh, he worked on his PhD.

In 1950 he set off on his path of ecumenical service. He was ordained by the United Methodist Church in 1952. He served as Youth Director at First Baptist Church, Bridgeport, CT; Student Pastor at South Methodist Church, Middletown, CT; Student Assistant for Youth Work, Cairns Memorial Church of Scotland; Pastor, the Village Church-Methodist, Bayville, NY; Pastor, United Methodist Church, Commack, NY; Pastor, Sheepshead Bay United Methodist Church, Brooklyn, NY; Assistant to the President, The Interchurch Center, New York, NY.

He served the United Methodist Church Conference as Secretary, the New York East Conference, Conference Commission on Higher Education, Conference Board of Pensions, Conference Committee on Rules, Delegate for the Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference, Delegate World Methodist Conference London, Chair Northeastern Jurisdiction Conference Secretaries’ Association.

He was also board member and President of the Ecumenical Foundation for Higher Education in Metropolitan New York; founding member of unifying agency for campus ministry at Columbia, NYU, Hunter and New York City educational institutions eventually becoming the Foundation for Higher Education in Metropolitan New York.; Nassau County Council of Churches, Dean, School of Religion and President, Nassau County Ministers’ Association; member of the Board of Directors of the Morningside Alliance NY, NY.

In retirement in New York, he served as interim pastor at Orient Methodist Church, NY; New Paltz Methodist Church, NY. He performed numerous wedding and baptismal ceremonies around the country for family and friends.

Dad and Mom moved to Ft. Myers in 1992, where Dad continued his service as a member of the 

McKellar Club; Whiskey Creek Membership; choir member at St. Hilary’s Episcopal Church and assisted as needed during services; founding member of the Southwest Florida Symphonic Chorale; honored by the Southwest Florida Symphony Society as member of the year 2001-2002; and member of the Yale Alumni Association of Ft. Myers. He enjoyed boating, a good baseball game, sitting on the beach, traveling and being surrounded by family.

Ted is survived by his wife of 44 years Carol, his five children, Malcolm (Thip), Cathie, Fred (Eva), Ann (Steve) and Peter (Kelleen); 17 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his sister Jan and his son Chuck (Doreen).

Dad on Armistice Day, 2017 

Memorial Service - Saturday, January 20, 2018, 10:00 a.m., St. Hilary's Episcopal Church, 5011 McGregor Boulevard, Ft. Myers, Florida 33901. In lieu of flowers, we respectfully request that you make a donation to St. Hilary's "Repay, Restore and Re-imagine Capital Campaign." This is a Capital Campaign near and dear to Mom and Dad's hearts.

Inurnment Service - Saturday, May 26, 2018, 1:00 p.m., The Columbarium at The Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine, 1047 Amsterdam Avenue at 112th Street, New York, New York.

I said goodbye to my Dad in my own way: