deBruyn, Theodore Joseph

Theodore Joseph deBruyn, 86, of Blacksburg, died Monday, February 6, 2012, at his home. He was born in Boston, Mass., on May 9, 1925, to the late Andrew J. and Margaret R. Langen deBruyn. He was also predeceased by his wife, Katherine Brady deBruyn; and two brothers, Andrew J. and Charles deBruyn. Ted became interested in technology as a teenager, as he delivered manuals for MIT Radiation Lab and Harvard University materials. Ted served in the United States Navy during World War II on the destroyer, Winslow. His first job after his Navy experience provided him with assisting and setting up of a closed circuit TV in Boston in 1947. He received a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of New Hampshire, and continued to focus on various ocean projects. He directed the engineering of numerous vessels including the Staten Island ferries, catamaran tug boats in more than 60 countries. Ted’s knowledge and skill were utilized as he worked with the U.S. Coast Guard in changing the book on navigation/ manning tankers. More recently he was a member of the design team of the nation’s first full-sized aircraft-fire training facility at Logan Airport, Boston, Mass. In order to abide by EPA’s regulations he recognized the necessity of developing an appropriate fuel for use at the training facility. He invented Envirofuel which was marketed through Chevron-Phillips and utilized worldwide. He is survived by his wife, Rosemary deBruyn, of Blacksburg; children, Douglas deBruyn, of Merrimac, N.H., and Janice Mary Ward, of Billerica, Mass.; sisters, Dorothy Young, of South Easton, Mass., Muriel Morris, of Framingham, Mass.; brothers and sisters-in-law, Robert deBruyn, of Shelton, Wash., John deBruyn, of Escondido, Calif., Donald and Marilyn deBruyn, of Powder Springs, Ga., and Paul and Cookie deBruyn, of Tygard, Oreg. Memorial Mass will conducted 11 a.m. Friday, February 10, 2012, in St. Mary’s Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contribution may be made to the charity of choice . Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home Blacksburg.