BELFAST — At the age of 74, Theodore Robert Heroux passed away peacefully on April 8, 2017, in the presence of his family at Waldo County General Hospital after a long history of heart disease. Theodore was born in Bangor on April 24, 1942, the first son of Maryann (Harvey) Heroux and Theodore Heroux Sr.

Theodore was also known as “Bobby,”” Frenchie,” “Ted,” Dad, “Hero,” “Coach,” Papa and “Coach Heroux”; he will be sadly missed by his family, friends, acquaintances and wrestling coaching competitors.

Bobby (as he was called in his younger years) attended Belfast schools and graduated from Crosby High School, where he was an outstanding athlete in football, basketball, baseball and track. In 1959, during his High School career, he was a Golden Gloves Boxing Champion. At graduation in 1961, he was honored as Athlete of the Year and listed his pet peeve as "competition."

Frenchie (as he was called in college) furthered his education by attending the University of North Dakota on a football scholarship graduating in 1965, with a degree in industrial arts and physical education. Attending the University of North Dakota led to his discovery and passion for the sport of wrestling.

In the fall of 1965, he began his teaching and coaching career in his hometown of Belfast, where he taught physical education and industrial arts. He coached football and wrestling until his retirement many, many years later.

Of his many accomplishments, the one he enjoyed the most was the years he spent as wrestling coach of Belfast Area High School. Coach Heroux was the wrestling coach at BAHS beginning in 1967, and at the time of his retirement had a 602-168-3 record. When people would comment on that accomplishment, he would tell them it was his "wrestlers who had the record not him" and "if you coach long enough you will get the numbers!" He coached eight State Championships, 11 Eastern Maine Regional Championships and 13 KVAC. Coach Heroux was KVAC Coach of the Year five times and a three-time Maine Coach of the Year. In 1999, he was inducted in to the Maine Amateur Wresting Alliance Hall of Fame, and in 2012, the New England High School Wrestling Hall of Fame; being one of only three Maine coaches to date to receive this honor. Coach Heroux took pride in helping his wrestlers on and off the mat; of these wrestlers many called the Heroux household "Home."

Ted was predeceased by his parents; his stepfather, Theodore Harvey, whom he called dad as "he was the father that raised me." He was also predeceased by his siblings, Philip Heroux, William Heroux, Edgar Heroux and Candy Murphy.

Ted is survived by his wife, Carolyn; and his daughters, Kimberly Wood and her husband, Neal Wood Jr., and Kristin Aldus and her husband, Raymond Aldus. Papa, as he was called by his grandchildren, is survived by Kristi, Kelsey, Kallie and fiance, Levi Rollins, Kote and Kornealius; and three great-grandchildren, Kaelyn, Kolby, and Kobe.

He is also survived by many sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, wrestlers, students, and athletes from his coaching and teaching days.

At his request there will be no funeral or memorial service; however, there will be a time for visitation with his family on Monday, April 17 or Tuesday, April 18, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Riposta Funeral Home on Waldo Avenue in Belfast.

In lieu of flowers or donations, Ted would be happy to have you buy yourself a scratch-off ticket.

A few of his last words were "I have enjoyed all of you!"