Theodore L. "Ted" Harwood
Woodgate- Theodore L. Harwood, age 99, of Rogers Road, husband of Venice, “Venie,” passed away peacefully, on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at his residence, while surrounded by his loving wife and family.
Affectionately known as Ted, he was born in Inlet, NY, on July 30, 1926, a son of Leonard and Grace Farrell Harwood. Ted could certainly be counted and remembered as a true Adirondack area pioneer! Growing up in the hamlet of Inlet, he attended the Inlet Common School and at the age of eight, he began serving as a guide at his father’s “Hot Top” Hunting Camp. Later as a teenager, he worked with his dad in the construction of the original Cottages at Rocky Point, near the hamlet of Inlet.
Ted went on to attend and graduate from The Town of Webb Union Free School, Old Forge, with the Class of 1943. Following, on August 1, 1944, Mr. Harwood began serving his country, in the U.S. Navy, during WW II, in the Pacific Theater. He was honorably discharged from the Navy, on May 13, 1946, with the rank of Carpenter’s Mate and member of the Seabees. During his time in the navy, Ted was stationed in Okinawa where he was a carpenter in Airport Construction. Upon his discharge, he was awarded the Victory Medal, American Theater Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Medal with 1 Star.
In 1946, Ted returned to Inlet, where he and his brother, Bob, founded Harwood’s Gas & Service station, constructing a modern building on Rt. 28, which they operated for several years. In addition to the service station, Ted and family also constructed and operated a laundry mat, Eagle Bay and later Ted’s wife, Betty, operated the Unique Gift Shop, Eagle Bay.
In 1948, Ted married Betty Leonard and for many years the couple lived in Eagle Bay. Ted and Betty had four children; Pam Ponzi (Joe), Penny Chernauskas, (Paul), and a son, Ted Harwood, Jr., and Kenny Harwood, who predeceased Ted. Later they were divorced.
At various times during his life, Ted was employed as a carpenter, electrician and plumber in the Old Forge area; in earlier years he constructed several homes in the Adirondack area.
Ted possessed an early and lifelong fascination with all things mechanical, especially airplanes and flying. At an early age he studied piloting an airplane, learning under his brother Bob. Eventually, Ted went on to earn his pilot’s license. For many years, Ted owned an airplane and was known for his ability to land his plane with skis on the snow, or on grass runways.
For many years. Ted also chartered tourists around the Adirondack Mountain Region and was employed by Bird’s Sea Plane Services, 6th Lake, Inlet, from where he guided tourists on private flights for individuals, groups and celebrities, throughout the Adirondack region. On one vacation occasion, Ted and his wife, Venie, flew across the United States, in Ted’s aircraft.
On December 28, 1986, Ted was married to Venice “Venie” Rogers, in Old Forge. This was a loving union which would have marked forty years, later this year. For several years after their marriage, the couple lived on Railroad Street in Old Forge, before Ted constructed their present home on Rogers Road, near Woodgate.
In 1979, Ted began a long career at the Town of Webb Union Free School, Old Forge, as a bus driver and mechanic, retiring in 2002.
Mr. Harwood served as Town of Webb Codes Department, Town of Webb Tax Collector and he was a longtime member of the Town of Webb School Board, and the Eagle Bay and Inlet Fire Departments.
During the 1960’s Ted became a pioneer in the development of the popular winter sport of Snowmobiling in Adirondack region. While operating the Harwood Gas and Service station in Inlet, Ted also operated a sales and service agency for Husky and later Scorpion Snowmobiles, with his business becoming a center for snowmobiling in the area. During this time, Ted, with other interested area residents became the founders of the North woods Snow Travelers Snowmobile Club and this group, headed by Ted, launched the beginning of the expansive snowmobile trail system in the Town of Webb and adjoining areas.
In addition to his wife, Venice, Ted is survived by his daughter, Pam Ponzi (Joe), daughter, Penny Chernauskas, (Paul) and a son, Ted Harwood, Jr. (Nancy); his step sons, David Rubyor (Kristy) and James Rubyor, (Marian). He was predeceased by a son, Kenny Harwood. Also surviving are fifteen grandchildren, thirty three great grandchildren, and one great great grandson.
A celebration of Ted’s life, will be held in Old Forge, NY, at a later date and time to be announced. Memorial contributions may be made to The Theodore L. Harwood Scholarship Fund, care of The Town of Webb Community Scholarship Fund, at P.O. Box 124, Old Forge, NY 13420. His arrangements are in care of Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. Boonville, NY.
For an on-line message of sympathy, please go to www.trainorfuneralhome.com