Teddy Lavitoria

MEMORIAL SERVICE | Thursday, January 19, 2023

Miramar National Cemetery | 5795 Nobel Drive | San Diego, CA 92122

1:10pm - 1:30pm: Arrivals via Lane 3 | 1:30pm - 2:00pm: Honor Salute

Lunch to be hosted immediately following the service

---

Click on MEMENTOS for photos & videos, which we will continue to update. Your tributes would be most appreciated, we would love to have you sign our digital guest book below. Please click "Read More" below for Teddy's Obituary.

Hugs from Paz, Odette & Joseph, Aubrey & Sarah

===

Teddy Lavitoria, 72 of San Diego County, passed away in the early hours of December 26, 2022 after years of struggling with vascular dementia. He was predeceased by both parents, Aurelio & Amalia Lavitoria and a brother, Rolando (Lita) Lavitoria. Teddy, aka Papa, is survived by his wife of 49 years, Paz Lavitoria and their children, Odette (Joseph) Kuhn, Aubrey (Sarah) Lavitoria, their grandchildren, Josiah, Jacob, Joel, Alana, and Leilani, and his siblings, Erlinda (Ricardo) Yoingco, Lita (Giovanni) Lavitoria, Norma (Romeo) Asanza and Romeo (Leonida) Lavitoria.

As a young man, Teddy raised his right hand and swore to defend the United States of America by enlisting into our United States Navy at Subic Bay Philippines in 1970. He was promoted through the enlisted ranks and served his country with honor, courage, and commitment. After 21 years, he was honorably discharged and transferred into the fleet Reserve as a Machinery Repairman Chief Petty Officer.

A very notable trait about him is his extraordinary talent to fix things. Whether it was carpentry, automotive, machinery, electrical, electronic, plumbing, and more, his implied motto was, “Don’t throw it away, I’ll fix it.” It was not uncommon for Teddy and Paz to visit a friend and offer his handyman or auto shop expertise with a problem they may be having. 

If he wasn’t tinkering in his garage, Teddy spent his free time gardening, browsing the local swap meets to find hidden treasures, camping and going on trips with family. He especially enjoyed sinking karaoke and dancing along to the beat - and even well into his illness, he would still be able to sing along to his favorite worship songs. His chuckle and his bright smile will be missed, but we are thankful that he is no longer suffering and is probably playing tug-of-war Upstairs with our beloved yellow labrador, Samson.

Until we meet again, Godspeed, Papa…!