Theodore Lorentzen

Theodore Reed Lorentzen, 81, passed away peacefully at his home in Fairhaven on Feb. 5, 2026, after a long neurological illness. He was married to his beloved wife Barbara (Mee) Lorentzen for 53 years and was a devoted son, father, brother, uncle, cousin and friend.

Born Jan. 4, 1945, in Boston to Clathie (Mitchell) and Eric R. Lorentzen, Ted grew up in Hull and graduated from Hull High School and Drew University in Madison, New Jersey. At Drew, he ran for the cross-country team and earned a B.A in political science and sociology. After graduation in 1967, he served in the Army National Guard.

Ted worked as a truck driver for his family’s trucking business for 38 years. From 1974, after his father’s death, he managed the business and hauled produce from ports in Newark, New Jersey; Albany, New York; Wilmington, Delaware; and Bridgeport, Connecticut for Tropical Banana Company and Stop & Shop. Upon retiring in 2006, he worked part-time as a driver and shipper for BMI Surplus in Hanover until 2009.

Ted and his family lived in Hopkinton for 27 years and moved to Fairhaven in 2002. He joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 65, and bought and restored a 17-foot catboat that he enjoyed sailing in Buzzards Bay. Fascinated by the history of Fairhaven and town politics, Ted served on what became the Marine Resources Committee for eight years and also as a board member on the Fairhaven Improvement Committee.

Ted found great pleasure in helping many friends in his retirement, assisting in the restoration of a wooden sailboat and building an outdoor pizza oven and kitchen, tagging along as crew on a sailing trip, and driving elderly friends to appointments. He loved making something old feel new again, be it an old house, an antique truck, a piece of furniture or an abandoned boat. He lived his life with a spirit of generosity, kindness, good humor and hard work.

Ted is survived by his wife, Barbara; son Christian Lorentzen and daughter Allison Lorentzen, both of Brooklyn, New York; sisters Katherine Gallagher of Northport, Florida, and Ann Marie Richards and husband Ricky of Hopkinton; brothers and their spouses Paul and Mary Ann Lorentzen of Hopkinton, and Eric and Deborah Lorentzen of Hull; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

A celebration of life will be held in the spring, and burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Millicent Library, 45 Center Street, Fairhaven, MA 02719.

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