Theodore “Ted” Asta, beloved spouse, father, and grandfather, passed away on June 6th, 2026.

Ted was born on February 9, 1954, in Queens, New York to Lillian and Theodore Asta. He spent much of his childhood in the Pocono Mountains region of Pennsylvania and then moved to Long Island, New York in his adolescence. He later lived all across the country–calling New York, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Illinois, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, and Colorado all home at one time or another.

Ted had a hunger for learning and education that lasted throughout his life. He graduated from Central Islip High school in 1972 and received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Vassar College in 1976. He graduated from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis in 1979, and in 1993, he completed his Doctorate in Theology from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. 

Ted was ordained as a Lutheran pastor on June 4, 1979, and spent the majority of his pastoral career serving in the New England Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA). He also served as the Associate to the Bishop of the New England Synod of the ELCA for 11 years, especially enjoying training future pastors and engaging in inter-religious collaborations. 

He was a loving husband and father, loyal friend, and a devoted family member, who worked hard at making and maintaining relationships through the years. He managed to make a new friend everywhere he went. Ted also had a deep love for travel. He visited Europe on multiple occasions, which included connecting with his German relatives and learning about his heritage in Italy. He also traveled to Jerusalem and Turkey andattended a meeting with the Pope on behalf of bishops in various faith communities. 

Ted is survived by his loving husband, Angelo Natoli, son Christopher Asta and wife Jodi Kostelnik, daughter Elizabeth Asta and husband Nathan Talley, step-son Ted Natoli and wife Sarah Natoli, Step-son Daniel Natoli and granddaughters Lila and Noelle Talley, step-granddaughter Claire Natoli, brother Rick Asta and wife Kathie Asta. Ted was preceded in death by his parents, Lillian and Theodore Asta, grandparents Walter and Helmi Fiebig, and Emmanuel and Rose Asta. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ted’s honor to the ELCA Foundationor Vassar College.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, August 6th at 11:00AM at Trinity Lutheran Church, 73 Lancaster St., Worcester, MA. Ted will be laid to rest in Queens, New York with his mother, father, grandmother, and grandfather.