Edward "Ted" Rosecrans Bagley

Edward “Ted” Rosecrans Bagley passed away peacefully in his home on Friday, July 28, 2017. Born January 11, 1926, Ted was the only child of Nina Martin Bagley and Edward Harbridge Bagley. His great grandfather, Jerome Mortimer Pratt was the first keeper of the Mission Point Light. Subsequently, his grandfather and father owned and operated the largest commercial dock on the Peninsula at what is now Haserot Beach. They became steamship agents during a time when there were few roads throughout this region and access was primarily by boat. Ted was an independent young fellow. At the age of 13, when the world was a safer place, he set out on the first travels of his life. With his parent’s permission, he hitchhiked on his own to explore New York City, Washington DC and North Carolina. The following year he traveled to the states of Washington, California, Nevada and Utah with a friend. These expeditions imbued Ted with a spirit of freedom and self-reliance that informed his life. At the age of 17, Ted enlisted in the US Army Air Corps and trained as an aerial gunner on B-17and B-29 heavy bombers. Later, as a first generation college graduate, Ted worked his way through college and received a BS in Business Administration and an MBA from The Ohio State University. During this period, he was inducted into the Beta Gamma Sigma business honorary and the Delta Sigma Rho debate honorary. His professional life in marketing and sales for a wholesale drug firm ultimately took him to their corporate headquarters in New York City where he met and married his beloved wife, Lucile Cummings Bagley. Lucile performed as a soloist with the Boston Symphony and other symphony orchestras. She sang in leading cathedrals and synagogues in NYC and was featured on the Bell Telephone Hour, emanating from Carnegie Hall. During their New York years, Ted was invited to become the youngest partner in a leading NYC management consulting firm, through which he specialized in management and finance for Fortune 500 companies. During this period he authored the book “”Beyond the Conglomerates” in which he projected futuristic trends in corporate structure and function. His book was selected as one of the best business books of the year by The Library Journal and became a best seller for corporate business professionals. After their New York years, Ted established his own consulting firm, the focus of which evolved from marketing and management consultation for corporations to financial and estate planning for individuals and families. Later, he and Lucile returned to Old Mission Peninsula to acquire and restore a 1901 farm house, which they moved to a location overlooking Haserot Beach and named Homeview. Ted was proud to be a fourth-generation owner of Old Mission Peninsula property. Ted and Lucile became early and active supporters of the national conservation movement to protect and preserve irreplaceable property. Ted served on the Board of the Old Mission Land Conservancy and was an active participant in 10 of the first 11 grants of conservation easements. He also served as the first president of the Old Mission Historical Society. Ted likewise used his professional expertise to help create planned giving programs in support of the arts and culture, working with the Traverse Symphony Orchestra, Northwestern Michigan College, and Interlochen Center for the Arts as well as affluent individuals and families. In 1998, Ted and Lucile received the Traverse Symphony Orchestra’s Golden Baton Award for their dedication and support. Ted served as a Director of the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation; as a President and Trustee of Rotary Charities of Traverse City; and as a Director of the Music House Museum. Ted and Lucile also became members of the President’s Club, Interlochen Center for the Arts; and The Producer’s Circle of Old Town Playhouse. Through dedication to American values of freedom and honor, they also became Gold Members of the Hillsdale College President’s Club. Additionally, Ted became the founder, president, and a director of the Grand Traverse Center, a Michigan nonprofit corporation whose initial purpose was to explore the potential of a world class and destination quality arts center for Northern Michigan of perhaps 2,000 seats. Ted was also a devoted member of the Traverse City Rotary Club. He was Editor of its weekly Bulletin for several years, and enjoyed the community service activities of Tag Day, bell ringing for the Salvation Army, and cooking buffalo burgers at the NMC Barbecue. He was a Paul Harris Fellow in Rotary International. Ted’s faith guided his value-driven life. He sought to live by the Golden Role. He was intellectually curious and a visionary thinker who cared about his family, his friends and his community. He was active in local and regional politics as well as in his support of the visual and performing arts. He loved classical music, Venetian glass, unusual antiques and Oriental rugs. In his travels, he and Lucile filled their time exploring art and history museums and the architectural wonders of the world. Together Ted and Lucile created a life of artistic and cultural enrichment, world travel to more than 30 countries, and lasting friendships that dominated their marriage for nearly 56 years. A memorial service will be held at 11am on Saturday August 12, 2017 at The First Congregational Church with a visitation held one hour prior. Dr. Gary Hogue will officiate. Burial will take place at the Ogdensburg Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers for those who wish to offer a memorial in Ted’s name, the following are suggested: First Congregational Church of Traverse City, Old Mission Congregational Church, Traverse Symphony Orchestra and Interlochen Center for the Arts. Kindly share any thoughts and memories with Ted’s family at friends at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.

Edward "Ted" Rosecrans Bagley

January 11, 1926 - July 28, 2017