Ted's obituary
Theodore Stefan Kaniuka left this world on July 26, 2025, with grace and dignity following a short but courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Ted was born on October 29, 1957, in Darby, Pennsylvania, to Michael and Mary Kaniuka. He lived most of his childhood and young adulthood in Huntington, New York.
Ted was a true lifelong learner with an Associates’ Degree in Applied Science from SUNY Farmingdale, Bachelor’s degree in economics from Stoneybrook, a Master’s degree in Educational, Curriculum, and Instructional Supervision from CW Post, and finally, a Doctorate of Education (EdD) from East Carolina University. Over the course of his career in K-12 education, Ted served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, Director of Elementary Education, Assistant Superintendent, Associate Superintendent, and Superintendent across multiple school systems in eastern North Carolina. He spent the last 18 years of his career as a professor in the Department of Educational Leadership at Fayetteville State University where he taught his favorite subject (statistics) and supported many students in completing their doctoral dissertations.
Ted is predeceased by his parents (Mary and Michael Kaniuka) and two godchildren (Kevin and Vivian Spendley). He is survived by his wife Maureen, daughters Emily and Andréa (husband Mac), brother Mike (wife Pat), mother-in-law Jan, brothers- and sisters-in-love Bill, John, Cathy, and Linda, and nieces and nephews across the country.
Ted was a devoted family man. He met the love of his life, his wife Maureen, over a slice of pizza at a Long Island catering hall where they both worked to supplement their teacher salaries – Ted as a valet, Maureen as a waitress. It was love at first bite for the both of them, and they married a year after meeting. They spent the past 36 years as the inseparable “Mo and Ted,” exemplifying a successful partnership that pushed each person to grow together and to be the best versions of themselves. Ted was also an incredible father to daughters Andréa and Emily, setting the bar high for what it means to be a man, father, and husband. To his girls, he passed on his tender dedication to family, Ukrainian pride (Slava Ukraini!), love of music (“Brian Eno is god”), and belief in the importance of public education, science, and social justice.
Ted never knew a stranger, and he treated his friends like chosen family. His deep care for his family and friends, often displayed through cooking and other acts of service, led his friends to coin the phrase “Everyone needs a Ted.” His easy going attitude, humor, and competence at almost everything he tried earned him the well-earned nickname of “Golden Boy” from his Spendley in-laws. Ted was a real “Jack of all trades,” over the years tending to many gardens and house plants, working on cars, and designing airplanes for his Combat Flight Simulator friends across the globe. Most recently, Ted found fulfillment volunteering with an English tutoring program for Ukrainians, representing abused and neglected children with the Cape Fear Guardian ad Litem Association, and attending local protests.
To know Ted was a blessing, and his love and guidance as a husband, father (in-law), brother, uncle, godfather, colleague, and friend will be profoundly missed. Спочивай з миром, братику, нам тебе не вистачатиме. Ти назавжди в наших серцях. (Translation: Rest in peace, brother, we'll miss you. You are forever in our hearts.)
Visitation followed by a celebration of Ted’s life is planned for Friday, August 1, 2025, at 4 pm at Andrew’s Mortuary Valley Chapel in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Details regarding a funeral service at the Ukrainian Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and interment at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Cemetery in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania will be announced in the near future.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Ted’s memory be made to
Razom for Ukraine or the
Cape Fear Guardian ad Litem Association.
Share online condolences with the family, here, in the guestbook.
