Edward (Ted) Dreger Jr., 78, of Torrington, CT, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 20th, with his family by his side. He was married for forty-seven years to the late Barbara Anderson Dreger. Ted was born in Torrington on April 10, 1940, son of the late Edward and Viola, and youngest of two children.
In addition to his wife Barbara, he is predeceased by his daughter Kim Dreger and his sister Joyce Fritz. He is survived by three sons: Edward (Ted) Dreger III and his wife Miah of Burlington, Charles (Chuck) Dreger and his wife Lora of Torrington, and Aaron Dreger of Prescott, AZ; five grandchildren: John Consolini, McKayla and Brianna Dreger, Adam Issa, and Sarah Issa George; one great-grandson: Caleb George; three nephews and a niece. After learning the masonry trade from his father, Ted became a laborer and mason for Borghesi Building and Engineering starting in 1956.
He then joined the Bricklayer Union Local 1 in 1962 and before being recognized as a 50-year member in 2012, worked many jobs throughout Connecticut and the country in places like Alaska, Nevada, Minnesota, and California where he worked on the Castle in Disneyland. He also volunteered his masonry talent throughout the Torrington-area, played Santa at Christmas Village, enjoyed volunteering his time with Litchfield County Special Olympics, and earned a boating Captain’s license and a real estate license. He enjoyed his beloved pets; playing bocce at the Germania Club; playing in 9-5 card tournaments, and growing tomatoes, prize pumpkins, and impatiens flowers.
He also frequented weekend tag sales, raised turkeys, took countless movies and pictures, loved to go camping and fishing with family, enjoyed beer with friends, and told stories and jokes that his family called “Pop’s Flops”. Ted’s unforgettable sense of humor, selfless generosity, and larger than life personality will be missed by all who knew him. May he enjoy eternal peace and happiness in Heaven and may his memory live on for years to come in the many buildings and landmarks he worked on, including the Forbes School which his father also worked on in 1929.
Calling hours will be Wednesday, June 27 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Phalen’s Funeral Home in Torrington with funeral services at 11:00 AM on June 28 at the First Congregational Church of Torrington, with Rev. Steve Darr officiating. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to the First Congregational Church of Torrington – 835 Riverside Ave, Torrington, CT 06790 or Smilow Cancer Hospital Care Center Torrington – 200 Kennedy Drive Torrington, CT 06790.
The family also wishes to thank the staff at Litchfield Woods and VNS Torrington Hospice Team for their extraordinary care.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
