SOMERSWORTH, NH - Theodore S. Pikora passed away on June 13, 2021 at Mass General Hospital in Boston. He was the son of the late Stanley J. and Gertrude G. (Carpenter) Pikora of Dudley, Mass., and was predeceased by a brother, Stanley. Ted is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years, Virginia M. Pikora, his daughter Kathryn Arey, her husband Russell Arey, and his granddaughter Julianna Arey who always brought a smile to his day. He also leaves a brother-in-law Richard Jones, and sisters-in-law Judy King, Lynda Hofstetter and Patty Loupis and their families; as well as many cousins who were close to him throughout his life.
Family was most important to Ted. He enjoyed quiet meals together, summer reunions, researching family history, and holiday gatherings like Wigilia when he would prepare his traditional Polish recipes. Ted also had a number of hobbies including oil painting, woodworking, and gardening; and he had a special enthusiasm for cooking and travel. For many years, he looked forward to meeting with his morning breakfast group.
After graduating from Bartlett High School in Webster, Ted received his B.S. degree from Fitchburg State College, his M.A. from Clark University and his Ph.D. from Boston University. His life-long interest in geography also led him to complete additional programs in Asian Studies at NE Illinois University, at the East-West Center of the University of Hawaii, and at the Arctic Institute of McGill University.
Ted began his career teaching at the Masconomet Regional Junior-Senior High School in Boxford in 1962, and then accepted a position at Salem State College in 1965 where he taught in the Department of Geography for 36 years before retiring. He had a passion for teaching and brought energy and humor into the classroom while developing an understanding of how geographical concepts can be applied to solving real world problems. Ted received the Distinguished Service Award from the College and was elected as the Department’s Chair for two terms during the 1980’s. He was active in a number of professional organizations including the New England – St. Lawrence Valley Geographical Society, serving as its President and receiving its Distinguished Service Award. He was also the editor of the Applied Geography Newsletter of the Association of American Geography. He presented a number of papers at regional and national meetings and wrote publications dealing with geographic education, historical geography and tourism development. Later in his career, he consulted in market and location analysis for a number of businesses and government agencies.
His career in geography, varied interests and especially his love of family provided Ted with a full and rewarding life.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be on July 24, 2021 at 11:00 A.M at St. Andrew Bobola Church, 54 W. Main Street, Dudley, MA. COVID restrictions will require masks at the church ceremony. Burial will follow at St. Joseph’s Garden of Peace, Old Worcester Road, Webster, MA. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Sitkowski, Malboeuf, Hickey Funeral Home at 340 School Street, Webster, MA.
Expressions of sympathy may be made in Ted’s memory to the Salem State University Foundation, 352 Lafayette Street, Salem, MA 01972 with a special note to designate the Geography Department fund in memory of Dr. Theodore S. Pikora. The gift also can be made online at https://participate.salemstate.edu/give/. Select “other” from the drop down list, and designate to: “Geography Department Fund”. Indicate that this gift is a tribute in memory of Dr. Theodore S. Pikora.