PORTLAND — Theodore H. Heidrich Sr., 79, of Main Street, Oxford died Thursday, Aug. 12, at Maine Medical Center with his family at his side. Ted, and his wife Eleanor, were longtime residents of Oxford.

He was born Dec. 18, 1930, in Bronx, N.Y., the eldest of six children. He graduated from Lawrence High School and served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War. He left the Marine Corps a corporal and returned to his employer, Arthur Copeland Dry Cleaners.

Ted started working at Copeland’s at the age of 13 sweeping the floors and became the owner at age 43. Copeland’s went on to become one of the most successful and respected businesses in the industry.

Retiring at age 55, and becoming a fulltime resident of Oxford, he threw his incredible energy and passion for life into serving his community. Ted organized the summer concert series at the Oxford American Legion, began the Western Maine contingent of the Marine Corps League, a Marine Corps, and served three terms in the Maine Legislature from 1999 to 2004 representing Otisfield, Oxford, Mechanic Falls, and parts of Hebron.

He was a tireless advocate for our veterans. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Norway, First Congregational Church of South Paris, VFW 18, South Paris and American Legion Post 112, Oxford, and Marine Corps League Western Maine Detachment.

The only thing that he was prouder of than being a Marine veteran and serving his country was his family. He loved to work in his garden, attend his Christmas tree farm, read, and spend time with his family and grandchildren and fellow Marines. He was loved and respected by everyone in his community.

He leaves behind his wife of 57 years, Eleanor; children, Norma Crowell, her husband, Steve, of Oxford, Ted Heidrich Jr. and his wife, Carrie, of Scarborough, David Heidrich of Oxford, and Fred Heidrich and wife, Nancy, of Saco; grandchildren, David, Scott, and Leanne Heidrich, George, Christy, and Jacob Gardner, Sonya Walker, and Kevin Crowell, Jennifer and Christopher Heidrich, Angela Jorday, Michele and David Harvey and Landon and Collin Heidrich; great-grandsons, Brandon and Liam; and his dog, Peter.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.oxfordhillsfuneralservices.com.