Theodore Delen

Theodore J. Delen passed away on Monday, September 28, 2026 surrounded by his family in Livingston, NJ. He was 86 years old.

Visiting will be held in the Prout Funeral Home, 370 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona on Monday, October 5 from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm, with a Service to begin at 12:30 pm. Entombment to follow in the Fairview Cemetery, Fairview, NJ.

Theodore was born and raised in Hoboken, NJ. He called Cedar Grove home for the past 50 years.

He served in the US Navy prior to selling Pontiac Cars in the Hudson County area and eventually becoming a Realtor with Coldwell Banker in Jersey City. He was also an independent Real Estate Appraiser in North Jersey.

Theodore was a social, warmhearted and joyful man who had a way of bringing a friendly energy and laughter wherever he went. He was easygoing by nature, quick with a joke and delighted in playful banter with the people he loved. Beneath his cheerful personality was a curious and thoughtful man who loved to learn, read and stay engaged with the world around him.

He had a particular love for the music of the 1950's and 1960's and could often be found singing along to his favorite oldies in the car. He enjoyed reading in his downtime, watching movies and sports and had a genuine appreciation for the stories, characters and history that captured his interest. He especially liked sharing these passions with his grandchildren, making sure they never missed a Harry Potter or Star Wars premiere. These became special memories they would cherish for their lifetime.

Family was at the center of Theodore's life. For 66 years he shared his life with his beloved wife, Karen Delen and together they built a family. Theodore took great pride in being a father to his two children, Kevin and Sue and later found immense joy in becoming a grandfather. Their family extended beyond people, as Theodore and Karen welcomed many animals into their home over the years. He had a deep love for animals and wildlife. Dogs, cats and birds all became cherished members of their family.

Sports were a big part of Theodore's world and some of his greatest enjoyment came from watching his grandchildren play. He loved watching Matthew's countless football games and Samantha's soccer and lacrosse games. He was never a passive spectator; instead he had an enthusiastic and passionate presence on the sidelines, following every play as though he were watching a professional game. He treasured the time cheering them on and sharing in their accomplishments.

Although he loved many sports, hockey held a particularly special place in his heart. It was the sport he had played as a young man and his love for the game continued throughout his life. He remained an avid hockey fan and enjoyed following the sport throughout the years.

Theodore also had a wonderfully inquisitive mind and a deep love of history. He was known for turning ordinary moments into impromptu pop quizzes. He loved testing the knowledge of his family and sharing what he knew. His love of history often led him down long and entertaining tangents about the events he had lived through, as well as those that came before his time. He loved reminiscing about the places he had lived, the things he had experienced and the people who had been part of his life. His stories frequently brought his wife Karen and his children, Sue and Kevin, into the conversation, allowing his family to not only hear about history itself but about the history of their own family.

That was Theodore: curious, witty, cheerful and good-natured, with a deep devotion to the people and animals he loved. He found joy in the simple things - music, movies, sports, books, history, food, a good story and most of all, time spent with his family. His close family will remember the laughter, the good-natured banter, the unexpected pop quizzes, the passionate sideline commentary and his warm and energetic presence.

Theodore will be remembered as a loving father, husband, grandfather and brother to his family and a good-hearted man to all those who knew him.

He was predeceased by his daughter, Susan G. Moore and son, Kevin Delen.

Theodore is survived by his wife, Karen Delen; his son-in-law, Scott Moore and his grandchildren, Rebecca Delen, Taylor Delen, Liz Moore, Michael Moore (Hannah), Samantha Moore and Matthew Moore. He is also survived by his sisters, Pat and Helen.

Condolences, memories and pictures can be uploaded to his obituary page at www.proutfuneralhome.com.