Theodore G. Kershaw

Theodore G. Kershaw, Ted, died peacefully on January 24 at home in Sparta, after a long illness, surrounded by family. Ted was born in Palo Alto, CA to Gen. Theodore G. Kershaw and Henrietta Collbran on April 23, 1934.
Ted proudly served in the US Army for 24 years, attaining the rank of Lt. Colonel. He served two tours in Vietnam and received numerous medals and commendations. Ted graduated from UC Berkeley and had further studies at UCLA, Columbia Visual Arts College, CUA, and Dominican House of Studies. He studied under Egon Sendler, Meudon, France at Stage Intermediaire d’iconographic, Centre d’Etudes Russes, and Master Iconographer, Irena Beliakov. He began an icon painting group in Gaithersburg which continues. Ted was fluent in French, Spanish and Vietnamese.
Ted was honored to be a covenant member of Mother of God Community for 31 years, a co- worker for the Missionaries of Charity for 25 years, caring for homeless men with AIDS at the Gift of Peace Shelter in Washington, DC. He instructed sisters from many countries in the study of Icons, while they were awaiting final vows. An artist, Ted was a skilled potter and Iconographer; stopping these pursuits 4 years ago due to illness. His works have been displayed in many venues in the Washington, DC area where he spent over 35 years. He was an active parishioner at St. Martin of Tours parish in Gaithersburg, MD, instructing immigrants in the Catholic faith in both English and French. He was also an avid handball player, stopping in his late 70’s.
Ted was a member of Artists for a Renewed Society. He lectured at Washington Theological Union, Ignatius Institute, University of San Francisco and the Pastoral Institute, Gaithersburg, MD. Ted did investigative research in person on coercive government practices that forced abortion and sterilization on women in several countries in Latin America and Africa. This work was close to Ted’s heart and was directed by Population Research Institute.
Ted was predeceased by his wife, Diane Miller, in 1997, and his brother, Tony, in 2016. He leaves behind his wife, of 13 years, Maureen Curtis, his former wife, Priscilla Kershaw, 2 sons, Sean of Brooklyn NY and Tod of Marshall, NC, a grandson, Jude Kershaw of Brooklyn NY, 4 stepsons, 8 stepdaughters, 22 step grandchildren and his sister Kathleen Kershaw of Grass Valley, CA. Friends called on Sunday, January 28, 2018 at the Goble Funeral Home, 22 Main St, Sparta, NJ 07871. A mass of Christian burial was held Monday at Our Lady of the Lake Church, 294 Sparta Ave, Sparta, NJ 07871.
In lieu of flowers, family requests donations be made to Mother of God Community, Missionaries of Charity or Birth Haven.