UPDATED: Former Lewes Mayor Ted Becker has Died
Image courtesy DRBA
The Talk of Delmarva has learned of the passing of former Lewes Mayor Ted Becker, who died Sunday at Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia. He was 74. Becker was the Mayor of Lewes from 2014 to 2022 and before that served 10 years on the City Council. He was appointed Deputy Mayor and Treasurer in 2011.
Since 2021, Becker has been a Commissioner with the Delaware River and Bay Authority and Executive Director of the DRBA, Thomas J. Cook said, “On behalf of the Delaware River and Bay Authority Commissioners and employees, we are extremely saddened to learn of the passing of Commissioner Ted Becker and extend our deepest sympathies to his entire family. Ted was the consummate public servant who helped to shape and effectuate policy by constantly focusing on ways to reach a consensus for the good of the Authority, its customers and stakeholders. We are honored to have worked with him and will miss his insight, wit, kindness, and character.”
Becker graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree from Ohio State University in occupational therapy and attended George Washington University where he studied public administration. He served in the U.S. Army from 1969 – 1978 and attained the rank of Captain and U.S. Army Reserves from 1978-1996 – he retired with the rank of Lt. Colonel.
Becker’s passing will leave holes in several civic and community groups – including the DRBA, Beebe Medical Center Foundation Board, Delaware Health Resources Board and the Delaware League of Local Governments.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
CLICK HERE FOR THE GREATER LEWES FOUNDATION’S OBITUARY FOR THEODORE “TED” BECKER
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Governor John Carney has shared the following statement on Ted Becker’s passing:
“Ted served the public selflessly and was always willing to help whenever asked. His service included eight years as Mayor of Lewes and ten years on Lewes City Council, including as Deputy Mayor and Treasurer. He was also a long-time member of the Delaware Health Care Commission and recently served as the Sussex County Commissioner for the Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA). He was a true gentleman and a pleasure to work with, always trying to do the right thing. I saw Ted most at home with Joe at the Inn at Canal Square. I was lucky to have Ted as a friend and colleague over the years and I will miss him. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends as we mourn his loss and celebrate his life.”
The Governor will order State of Delaware flags to be lowered on the day of interment. The flag lowering notification will be released when a funeral date has been announced.
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U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), released the following statement on the passing of former Lewes Mayor Ted Becker:
“Martha and I are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Ted Becker. As the longtime former Mayor of Lewes, Ted was a true champion for its year-round residents and summertime visitors. He was also an environmental champion and a supporter of all of Delaware’s coastal communities. My staff and I were privileged to work with him on legislation that protects our coasts and replenishes our beaches, and he always approached those conversations with the Golden Rule in mind. Lewes is a better place because of Ted. Delaware is also a better place because of Ted. We will miss him, but we will always be grateful to have called him our friend.”
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U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) issued the following statement following the passing of former Lewes Mayor Ted Becker:
“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Ted Becker, a man I knew for more than two decades from his time on city council to his service as mayor to his leadership on the Lewes Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Lewes Foundation. He is one of the greatest public servants Lewes has ever known. Ted was a wonderful mayor for the city and had an innate understanding of how to balance the requirements of a tourist-filled world-class beach community with the needs of the year-round residents who made up his constituency. He will be greatly missed.
“Annie and I are keeping Ted’s husband, Joe; his surviving family; and the entire Lewes community in our hearts, and praying that memories of Ted provide some small measure of comfort during this difficult time.”
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LEWES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MOURNS THE LOSS OF LONGTIME MEMBER AND FORMER LEWES MAYOR, TED BECKER
The following is a statement from Lewes Chamber of Commerce Board President Ray Book:
“The Lewes Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors are deeply saddened by the passing of our Board Vice President Ted Becker. For many years Ted Becker has been a great friend of the chamber. His knowledge and wisdom helped the chamber and its members through many challenges. He did this as a board member and a member of the City Council and Mayor. Through our friendship with Ted, we experienced his deep love for Lewes and the citizens of Sussex County. His many accomplishments and participation have made Lewes what it is today. His passing has left a void that will be difficult to fill. We send our thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.”
As a business owner of multiple businesses in the downtown Historic Commercial District, Ted was an engaged chamber member. In 2004, he joined the chamber board of directors and served in various board positions until 2014 when he was elected Mayor. While serving on the chamber board, he initiated a number of projects that benefited all the chamber businesses.
They include: the logo design in 2008; founding the Lewes Tulip Celebration in 2009 and serving as event committee chair; and overseeing the renovation of the second floor of the Fisher-Martin House for a community meeting space and chamber offices. As Mayor, at the onset of the Covid pandemic, he coordinated with the chamber to develop a plan to reopen the businesses and promote visitation safely. The City and the chamber created the Hospitality Ambassador program as part of that marketing plan. He and the city manager both were on weekly Zoom meetings with the chamber businesses on both sides of the canal to strategize and communicate the latest pandemic information. He rejoined the chamber board in 2022 as Vice President and chaired the board’s Long Range Planning committee. Most recently, he created the chamber’s Heritage Marketing Coalition, partnering with six historic Lewes destinations and Southern Delaware Tourism, to promote year-long visitation to our historic sites.
Betsy Reamer, the chamber’s executive director, worked closely with Ted for more than 20 years.
“I was so fortunate to have Ted’s guidance and counsel throughout those years. He was not only visionary but he was someone who was on the ground, getting his hands dirty, implementing his ideas.” She gave an example. “When the tulips weren’t in bloom on the day of that first Tulip Celebration, I came to work that morning to see Ted on his hands and knees planting tulips in the gardens surrounding the entrance to the chamber’s visitor center in the Fisher-Martin House. I will miss his energy and enthusiasm but most of all, his friendship. He was a wonderful mentor.”
The Lewes Chamber of Commerce will honor Ted at its November 21 membership breakfast meeting.
