It is with regret that we annouce the death on 8th March at 8.15 am at nursing home Pleyade, Arnhem, The Netherlands, aged 91, of
Father Theodore (Ted) Fedbrugge
Mill Hill Missionary
May he rest in peace
Ted, as we knew him affectionately among the Mill Hill Missionaries was born on the 29th of October, 1929 in the city of Groningen, in the diocese of Utrecht, in the Netherlands. He was born into a small family of only two brothers, his father being also called Theodore, who was a Merchant, and his mother was Johanna Feldbrugge nee Otterbeek. Ted was Baptised in his local church on the 30th of December, 1929 and later Confirmed there in 1936.
Ted’s initial schooling took place in Groningen. However, for his Secondary Education he studied at St. Canisius’ College in Nymegen from 1941 to 1948, including during the turbulent years of the Second World War. Responding to God’s call to become a foreign missionary priest, Ted proceeded to study Philosophy at the Mill Hill College at Roosendaal (1948-1950). From there, he was promoted to study Theology at Saint Joseph’s College, Mill Hill, London from 1950 to 1954. As Ted approached the completion of his studies and preparations for priesthood, he took the Perpetual Oath to God in our missionary society on the 7th of May, 1953. The following year, on the 11th of July, 1954 he was Ordained priest at the hands of Cardinal Griffin in the Chapel of Saint Joseph’s College, Mill Hill, London. Ted later followed some further studies, graduating BA Hons in Economics and Geography from the University of Dublin in 1966. The same year he graduated Cum Laude with a post-graduate Diploma in Education from Jordanhill College in Glasgow, Scotland.
Immediately after ordination, Ted was appointed to the staff at St. Joseph’s College, Lochwinnoch near Glasgow. After a couple of year, in 1956, he was appointed to work in Jesselton, now Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. After an interruption for further studies, he returned there in 1967. In 1975 he was appointed to work in Albany, New York, USA. By 1977 he was appointed Director of Development in Albany. In 1979 he was appointed Rector of our Albany house. In 1983 Ted was appointed acting Rector in our St. Louis property. From 1984 until May 1991, Ted was delighted to be appointed to work in the Diocese of San Jose de Buenavista, Antique, Philippines. In late 1991 Ted was back in the USA as Development Director in our North American Region. By July 1995 he was Administrator of the Mill Hill House in Los Angeles, while fulfilling the office of Bursar of the North American Region, a post to which he was appointed three times! In October 2007 Ted participated in the 65+ Seminar in Rome, Italy. On the first of June 2008 Ted bade farewell to his works in the United States of America and returned to his Home Region of the Netherlands to enjoy a well-earned retirement.
As Ted entered retirement, the General Council at the time shared, “You have demonstrated your total commitment to the Mission of the Church and the needs of the Society. You now leave America (for retirement) knowing that you have given generously of your gifts and energy in the love and service of God and of so many people. You will, no doubt, be long-remembered with respect and affection.” Ted’s funeral rites will take place on Friday the 12th of March at 11.00.am, followed by burial in our own cemetery. Moge hij rusten in vrede. (May he rest in peace.)