Obituary of Theodore J. Passon, Jr. PhD

Dr. Theodore "Ted" J. Passon Jr. passed away peacefully on April 10, 2025. He was born on August 11, 1945 to Theodore and Ann (Vakula) Passon and grew up in Audubon Park, New Jersey with his older brother Fred Passon. Ted attended Audubon High School and put himself through college at Tennessee Tech University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree. He enlisted in the army in 1963 where he became passionate about microbiology after working as a medical technologist. Upon completing his service, he started Passon's Biological Laboratory, becoming the youngest certified laboratory director in the state of New Jersey. By 1973 he merged with Hoyle Labs creating Hoyle-Passon Laboratories. Ted earned his master's degree from Rutgers University and his PhD. in Immunology and Biochemistry from Drexel University, despite suffering a brain aneurysm while working on his thesis. He was part of a convening of scientists that discovered and identified Legionnaire's Disease in 1976. In 1977 he met and married his beloved wife Virginia (Fesi) Passon. By 1979 the couple became the sole proprietors of Hoyle-Passon Laboratories and ran the business together until 1993 when it was sold. By the following year Ted and Virginia had started Pure Earth Environmental Laboratory, which specialized in state-of-the-art environmental microbiology testing. At the time it was one of only six labs in the country to be certified in Legionnaires testing. Ted served as the laboratory director until he retired in 2016. Ted was a member of the American Association of Bioanalysts, American Society of Clinical Pathologists, The U.S. Nuclear Regulation Commission, The American Institute of Chemists, The NJ State Board of Medical Examiners, and was a Fellow at the American In-Virto Allergy/Immunology Society. He taught classes at the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey, Rowan College, and Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Throughout his career he was a guest lecturer at numerous institutions around the United States. His writings appeared in many publications including Medical Laboratory Observer, Journal of Osteopathic Medicine, and Indoor Air Connections Magazine. As a young man he was an avid outdoorsman who loved camping, hunting, fishing, and was proficient with a bow and arrow. He played pool competitively and became friends with his billiards idol, Willie Mosconie, a 19-time Straight Pool World Champion. As he grew older, he became enamored with golf and played regularly for decades. He was a two-time winner of the Polish-Italian Open. He loved small talk with strangers, telling people he loved them, and was an aficionado of vanilla ice cream. He is survived by his wife and children: David (Christina) Passon, Nicole Marie Passon, Nicole Ann (Anthony John) Galiazzi, and Ted Passon, as well as his grandchildren, Anthony John Galiazzi III, David Passon, Madison Passon, and his dog Bonnie. Family and friends are invited to pay their respects Thursday, April 17 from 6-7 PM at Evoy Funeral Home 3218 Bayshore Road North Cape May, NJ. Funeral Services will be celebrated at 7PM immediately following the viewing. Evoy Funeral Homes, Inc., PO Box 1010, 3218 Bayshore Road North, Cape May, NJ 08204 has been entrusted with arrangements. Condolences may be shared at www.EvoyFuneralHome.com.