Theodore R. Schoff

LITTLE FALLS - Theodore R. Schoff, age 72, passed away at home with loving family at his side, on November 12, 2024.

Ted was born in Little Falls, New York, on December 18, 1951. He was the son of Elmer and Ruth Van Slyke Schoff. He was the youngest of five brothers. Ted grew up in St. Johnsville, New York, where he excelled at numerous sports, including soccer, basketball and baseball. As a high school basketball player, Ted scored 1,856 points, while also flourishing as an outstanding baseball player.

Ted was drafted out of high school by the Detroit Tigers, but opted to attend Brown University, majoring in education. While at Brown, Ted played one year of basketball and four years of baseball. Baseball was his love and he garnered many accolades including First Team All-Ivy League, as well as All-American Honorable Mention as a sophomore. He then went on to earn Second Team All-Ivy League both his junior and senior year. Ted spent two summers of his collegiate career playing in the world-renowned Cape Cod Baseball League with the Chatham A’s, where he batted over .300.

For many years, Ted played and managed the St. Johnsville Saints semi-pro baseball team. He played alongside his brothers, where he was known for his performance at the plate and his strength as a teammate. With the Saints, he travelled through much of the Northeast, competing against some of the best baseball talent in the region, becoming the Stan Musial New York State Champions in 1981.

After attending Brown, Ted was hired by the Little Falls City School district in 1974, as an English teacher, where he taught for 31 years. He was then hired as the Varsity Baseball coach and Junior Varsity Basketball coach for the Little Falls Mounties. As a head baseball coach for more than thirty years, he earned 533 career wins, a state championship in 1982, 12 Section III titles and 14 league titles.

In 2003, Ted was inducted into the Greater Utica Sports Hall of Fame for his accomplishments as both an athlete and coach. In 2013, Ted was also inducted into the New York State Baseball Hall of Fame for his contributions to the Little Falls baseball community. His former players launched a campaign to have the dugout at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Little Falls renamed the Ted Schoff Dugout after he left coaching.

In 1999, Ted was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, which lead to his eventual retirement from teaching and coaching. Ted left an enduring mark on the area with the many mentors and coaches that he inspired.

While teaching and coaching was a large part of his life, an even larger part was following his children in their own endeavors. He was also an avid Yankees fan and a lover of many sports.

In 1985, Ted was united in marriage to Sarah M. Manion, of Ilion, New York. Together they celebrated 39 years of marriage and raised four wonderful children. He leaves behind his wife, Sarah; his children, daughter and son-in-law, Ann and Thomas Burgess, of Agawam, Massachusetts, daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Conor Thompson, of Camillus, New York, daughter, Genevieve Schoff, of Cohoes, New York and son, Theodore L. Schoff, of Little Falls, New York. He also leaves behind one grandchild, Thomas M. Burgess, of Agawam, Massachusetts. He is survived by his brothers, Phillip Schoff and his wife, Marcia and Lawrence Schoff and his wife, Patsy; his sister-in-law, Earlene Schoff; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Lyn Manion Cipriano and John Cipriano, his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Amy Manion Ponder and Vince Ponder, his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Robert B. Manion and Nancy Carter Manion; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He leaves behind many friends, including Gary Stahler, Joseph Campione and Mitchell McDade.

Ted was predeceased by his parents; and his brothers, Donald Schoff and his wife, Joyce, as well as his brother, Robert Schoff.

Friends and relatives are invited to honor and remember Ted’s life. Calling hours are on Monday, November 18, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the Enea Family Funeral Home, 24 West Monroe Street, Little Falls, New York. Funeral Services will be held at the funeral home, on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. and a Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., at Holy Family Parish Church, Little Falls, with burial to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, 5661 NY-5, Herkimer, New York.

It is the wish of the family that memorial contributions in honor of Ted be considered to a Scholarship Fund to be established in his name in the very near future to benefit students through the Little Falls City School District. Envelopes will be available at the Enea Family Funeral Home for this purpose.

With the warmest and most sincere appreciation, the family extends gratitude to the angels of Hospice & Palliative Care (Onieda, Herkimer & Madison Counties), as well as the at home care nursing staff through Bassett Healthcare. The compassion received and given allowed Ted to remain in the comfort of his home and rest amongst the most calming atmosphere he certainly wanted and we remain forever grateful.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Enea, Ciaccia & Applegate Funeral Directors (315) 823-2424.

This obituary can be viewed on the funeral home website at www.eneafamily.com on the Internet.