Arne T. Engkvist

The beloved and incomparable Arne Theodore Engkvist passed away peacefully on Monday, November 5, 2018 to be with his Lord and loving family and friends that have passed on before him.   Known throughout his life as Ted Engkvist, he will be remembered as a great father, husband, friend and a man everyone wanted to be like and everyone wanted to be around!
Ted was born on April 18, 1935 in NY to newly settled Swedish immigrants, Olaf and Britta Engkvist.  He grew up in Ossining, NY with his younger brother Ken.  It was then his love of people and sports, as well as, his leadership skills quickly became evident.  Popular with all, Ted was on his high school varsity basketball and football teams and was President of his class at Ossining High School ('53).  
Ted enjoyed his university years at Union College in Schenectady, NY ('57) where he was on the football team, was president of his class, was president of his fraternity, Phi Delta Theta, and was Squadron Commander in the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps.  But he also had time for the ladies. While at Union College, Ted met the love of his life, Joan Mikolay who was studying teaching at nearby New Paltz College and later became his bride.
Upon graduation, Ted was called to duty in the Air Force.  Lieutenant Engkvist was a navigator on a KC-97 strato-tanker which was an aerial tanker that was capable of inflight refueling of bombers.  While in the military Ted married Joan his college sweetheart at the Harlingen, TX Air Force base.
Returning to civilian life, Ted joined the NY Telephone Company, a company he would remain with for 35-years while never missing a day of work. While at work, he also received his graduate degree at NYU School of Business.  He went on to have a distinguished career at the telephone company holding many executive positions. 
Ted and Joan built a beautiful life together settling in Hillsdale, NJ and raising three "wonderful" children Richard, Nancy, and Lisa. The family summered on the shores of Lake Sunapee, NH and enjoyed an idyllic life with all of the bounties.  Ted and Joan retired to Naples where they enjoyed family, friends, traveling, and golfing for many years until Joan went to be with the Lord.
Later in life, Ted met a pretty French lady, Camille Mercier and they married.  They would travel to distant lands (France and St. Bart's of course) and enjoy fine foods and good times. 
Ted was known for his many accomplishments, but more so for his big heart and his engaging & charming personality.  He will be missed deeply by many including his children and their families: Richard & Margaret Engkvist and their three children Jack, Allison, & Paige; Nancy & Craig Desimone and their three children Michael, Matthew, & Jenny; Lisa & Ken Amann; and his second wife & her family Camille Engkvist, Claire, & Leo. 
Dad we love you and we know we will meet again. Until then, enjoy the royal flush in your poker hand, the perfect drive in your golf game, and the 15-year old scotch in your hand.
A service will be held in Ted Engkvist's honor and memory at St. John's Episcopal Church located at 500 Park Shore Dr, Naples, FL on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at 3:00PM.  In lieu of flowers, the family has requested and would be grateful for donations made to the fund to prevent Alzheimer's at http://act.alz.org/goto/TedEngkvist.  For online condolences, please Visit www.fullernaples.com