“1934-2016

Major Teofilo “”Teo”” Esculano, Jr, USAF Ret. passed away on Friday, May 13, 2016 at his home in Madison, MS after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Teo was born on June 21, 1934 in Staten Island, New York. His overwhelming love and devotion to family was rooted in his core from a very young age and he carried this throughout his life.

As a little boy living in New Jersey, Teo rode the subway to New York where he shined shoes and sold newspapers to help provide for his family. As he got older, he had many different jobs that included being a Western Union delivery boy and a gas station attendant as well as working in a chicken factory and later in the garment district. Then, after working in roofing and siding for a year, Teo joined the Navy (’52–’55) where he was a member of the VP21 patrol squadron and served his country during the Korean Conflict. After discharge from the Navy, he attended San Diego Junior College, earned his associates degree in Business and enlisted in the Air Force in 1957. While in the Air Force, Teo was stationed at various Air Force bases around the country including Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, MS and was deployed to many different countries such as French Morocco, Malta, Thailand and Vietnam. In 1972, he accepted a two year assignment at the National Defense Headquarters in Ottawa, Canada and then retired from the Air Force to live in Biloxi. Following his military service, Teo started his career with South Central Bell as a PBX Supervisor and advanced through various other positions with increasing responsibilities. He retired from the company in 1991 in Jackson, MS.

Teo has been a proud member of the Knights of Columbus Council #1244 in Biloxi since 1970 and later achieved a 4th degree knight designation. He was also a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America. Teo enjoyed public speaking and served as President of the Coast Toasters in 1981. In 1983, he won 1st place at the Mississippi Speakers Bureau Contest for excellence in public speaking. Teo was a graduate of the University of Nebraska (Omaha) where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.

Survivors include his wife, Cynthia “”Cindy”” Esculano; daughter, Cathryn “”Cathy”” Williams of Orlando, FL; son, Paul Esculano (Kris) of Long Beach, MS; step-daughter, Kimberly Necaise of Wiley, TX; step-daughter, Heather Necaise of Hattiesburg, MS; grandchildren, Jason & Jordan Hymel, Justin Kincannon, Shelbey Esculano, Kaitlyn Necaise and his “”buddy”” Jakob Allen; brothers, Joseph Esculano (Pepita), Anthony Esculano and Jackie Gray; his uncle, Angelo “”Al”” Albanese; and dear friends, Randy and Christine Bailey.

Teo was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Lori Esculano-Dunn, father, Teofilo Esculano Sr., mother, Lucille Gray, step-father, Johnny Gray, sister, Roseanne Schoenig and brother, Edward “”Eddie”” Esculano.

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