Theodore Spiero

Theodore Spiero, 87, born in New York, N.Y., November 8, 1922, died August 4, 2010. As a young man, he traveled to Genoa, N.Y. near Cornell University with the intention of attending the free agricultural university. Instead he joined the army, married his sweetheart and became an Army Air Corps pilot. He flew more missions over The Hump than any other captain in the China/Burma Theater. Crew members would request missions with the “Old Man” , who was younger than they, because he always brought his plane and crew home. In all his missions, he never lost a man or an airplane. After the war, he and his bride farmed in Genoa where they raised their family and prize Holstein dairy cattle. Ted began his commercial pilot’s career in 1951 with Robinson Airlines which became Mohawk Airlines, then Allegheny Airlines, then US Air. He retired from US Airways. While still flying full time, Ted graduated from Cornell University with a degree in Industrial Labor Relations. This fit with his long time association and representation for the Airline Pilots Association. He was instrumental in many labor negotiations between pilots and management during his tenure as a pilot. Although, still flying, he and Gladys moved to Port Charlotte, FL. After retirement, he was active in the tennis association and excelled in this sport for many years. One could regularly see Ted walking the neighborhood with his dog. He was a true welcoming ambassador for the entire neighborhood. He will be greatly missed. He is survived by his daughters, Cathy (John) Kanalley, Moravia, N.Y., Amy (Stephen) Derin, Greenbelt, MD; daughter-in-law, Karen Spiero of Genoa, NY; 7 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren. Theodore was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Gladys A. Wilbur and son, Larry W. Spiero. A visition will be 3:00 to 6:00 pm, Sunday, August 15, 2010 at Shurflett Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at noon 12:00 pm, Monday, August 16, 2010 at Shurflett Funeral Home, Genoa, NY. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Humane Society for the prevention of cruelty to animals.