Ted Kinley Fitzkee, 71, of Naples, FL, husband of 50 years of Carolyn Ann Keeny Fitzkee, died March 22 in Naples from complications of multiple myeloma. He was the son of the late W. Eugene and Alberta Kinley Fitzkee.
Ted was born in York, PA on March 31, 1940 and was a 1958 graduate of William Penn Sr. HS in York. He then attended the Maryland Institute College of Art, with additional art studies in New York, Massachusetts and Arizona.
Ted was a multi-talented painter, restorer of artworks, and teacher. His artistic skills led him to participate in many and varied aspects of the art world, including a stint as an archeological "dig" artist in San Salvador for the University of Colorado. The US Navy commissioned him as a Naval Combat Artist and his paintings hang in the Pentagon and the US Naval Museum collections. He was represented by galleries in York, Lancaster and Harrisburg, PA, Santa Fe, NM and Naples, FL. Often his one-man shows sold out completely, and his work is owned by numerous collectors.
His teaching career began in the 1970's as an instructor of painting, drawing and art history at the York Academy of Art in York, PA. In 1982 he co-founded the Pennsylvania College of Art and Design and served as its Dean and Interim President from 1982 until 1995. He encouraged many young people to pursue artistic careers.
In 1996 Ted and Carolyn moved to Naples, FL where Ted turned his talents to the restoration of paintings, tall case clock dials and other museum quality painted objects. He was well respected throughout the East Coast as an expert in this intricate and specialized work.
Ted was a long-time member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Mooring Line Drive, Naples.
In addition to his wife Carolyn, with whom he celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on November 25, 2011, Ted is survived by a son, Thomas Keeny Fitzkee and his wife Sherry, and two daughters, Lisa Ann Fitzkee Avery and her husband Todd, and Kate Ryland Fitzkee Sharpe and her husband Kevin, five grandchildren, Eden Brooke Fitzkee, Tyler Keeny Fitzkee, Brett Nathaniel Sharpe, Amanda Caroline Sharpe and William Pierce Sharpe, six step grandchildren, Thorne, Faren, Troy, Brianna, Megan and Heather Avery. He is also survived by a sister, Jane Fitzkee Ash of West Chester, PA and a brother, Stephen Fitzkee of Groton, MA. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a sister, Joan Fitzkee Gross, and a baby brother, William Fitzkee.
Graveside services will be held at Prospect Hill Cemetery in York, PA on Saturday, April 7, at 11 a.m. Procession will begin at the Pennsylvania Avenue entrance at 10:45 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Ted Fitzkee Memorial Fund, c/o Pennsylvania College of Art and Design, 204 N. Prince St., Lancaster, PA 17603.
