Theodore J. “Ted” Corombos

Ted was born in Iron Mountain on March 27, 1933, son of the late John and Helen (Nikolis) Corombos. He graduated from Iron Mountain High School in 1951.

Upon graduation, Ted attended Michigan State University, graduating in 1955 with a degree in communications. From 1956-1958, he served in the U.S. Army, working in cryptography.

After his honorable discharge from the Army, Ted worked in New York before returning to Michigan State, where he earned a master’s degree in English. He then taught English and drama for a year at Jackson High School in lower Michigan.

After returning to Iron Mountain, Ted designed and built an apartment complex and co-founded Dickinson Homes. He sold his share of the business a few years later and subsequently opened his own investment firm, Corombos Investment Management, Inc., which served the community for many years.

Ted married Mary Ann Nelson on May 17, 1969, at St. Mary’s Orthodox Church. They recently observed their 50th wedding anniversary.

In 1977, Ted was chosen to fill a vacancy on the Iron Mountain City Council. After winning three additional terms as an alderman and serving one of those terms as mayor pro-tem, he was elected Mayor of Iron Mountain in 1983.

As mayor, Ted initiated an updating of the city charter and also created a state-sponsored Tax Increment Finance Authority (TIFA) district in Iron Mountain. This paved the way for major infrastructure improvements in the city (city hall, police and fire building, public works building, water and sewer improvements, etc.) and opened up the south side of the city for significant economic development.

Upon retirement from the council, Ted served as chairman of the TIFA board for several years. He later returned to the council as an alderman from 2008-2013.

Ted was an avid reader, with a special interest in military history. During his retirement years, he personally interviewed and videotaped area World War II veterans to collect their oral histories for Iron Mountain High School. He was also active in creating an alumni newsletter for IMHS.

Ted is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; sons, Jon Corombos of Iron Mountain, Mark (Molly) Corombos of Oakland Township, lower Michigan, and Greg (Laura) Corombos of Woodbridge, Va.; and grandchildren, Catherine and Jack Corombos of Oakland Township, and Katie and Sarah Corombos of Woodbridge.

Ted was preceded in death by his parents; and his infant brother, Everett Corombos.

Visitation for Ted will be held on Tuesday, July 30, from 3 to 6 p.m., with a 6 p.m. Trisagion Service at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home.

Another visitation will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 31, until the time of the funeral service at 11 a.m. at the funeral home.

Rev. Fr. Mark Hagan will officiate.

Pallbearers will be Peter Pappas of Menomonee Falls, Wis., Ted’s cousin and the best man at Ted’s wedding; Sigurd (“Skip”) Nelson of Cornville, Ariz., Ted’s brother-in-law; extended family members, Dean Baldukas of Stoughton, Wis., Norbert Schlidt, of Brookfield, Wis., and John Tanner of Lake Bluff, Ill.; and former Iron Mountain Mayor Bruce Rosen. Ted’s grandson, Jack, will serve as an honorary pallbearer.

Burial will take place at Cemetery Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St Mary’s Orthodox Church, of which Ted was a member since its founding; Samaritan’s Purse (PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607); or Gigi’s Playhouse Detroit (19799 W. 12 Mile Road, Southfield, MI 48076) in honor of Ted’s granddaughter Catherine.

Gigi’s Playhouse is a national achievement center for individuals with Down syndrome.

Condolences to the family of Ted Corombos may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home with the arrangements.