Dr. Ted A. Aceto, loving husband, father, and grandfather passed away on July 1, 2021 at his home in Villanova, PA surrounded by his family. He was 82. Ted was known to many as a standout Villanova quarterback who went on to serve as the University's Director of Athletics from 1974-93. To his family and friends, Ted will be remembered as a simple man who embraced faith and family.

Ted was born December 26, 1938 in Camden, NJ, an only child to Lillian May and Pat Aceto. He attended Gloucester Catholic High School and St Francis Prep where his affinity for football got him noticed. Ted went on to Villanova as a quarterback where he led the Wildcats to appearances in the 1961 Sun Bowl and 1962 Liberty Bowl. He earned both undergraduate and master's degrees from Villanova and in 1971 received his PHD from Bowling Green State University. His academic achievements were notable but more important to Dr. Aceto -- that  his teammates will forever hail him as a great leader and friend.

Ted returned to his alma mater as Athletic Director in 1974. Under his stewardship, Villanova entered the Big East Conference in 1980 and won the 1985 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship. Throughout his career, he was known to be tough and fair with an unyielding belief that people can be and do better. And while many players were intimidated by an intensity that hid this belief, he lived as he preached: practice, 100 percent effort, pride. He demanded 100 percent at all times. The better you were the more he expected.  He influenced a generation of kids who played youth league baseball, Cadet league, and those whose talents took them beyond the school yard.

Ted was a black belt in Karate, arrived at the airport three hours early, had to sit on an aisle seat usually in the back; he was passionate about golf, his Overbrook crew, Villanova football teammates for life, the Yankees, soft pretzels, and watching Villanova sports or any sports in his man cave; he adored his grandkids, his family, and the beach. He delighted in his home life where the smallest pleasures brought him great joy.

Ted was devoted to the Lord and his wife Mary -- the love of his life and best friend for 55 years. He was fiercely proud of his son Ted and his daughter Kristen. He is survived by Mary,

Ted (Suzanne) Aceto, Kristen (Boo) Corrigan, and his grandchildren, Riley, Brody, and Kally Aceto, and Finley, Tre, and Brian Corrigan as well as many other family members, cousins, friends, and colleagues.

Relatives and friends are invited on Thursday July 8th to a Visitation at 9 AM followed by his Funeral Mass at 10:30 at St. Thomas of Villanova Church on the Villanova University Campus, 800 Lancaster Ave., Villanova, PA.  Interment is private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may in form of check may be made payable to Villanova University, in memo line list "In Memory of Ted Aceto" and mail to Villanova University, 800 E. Lancaster Ave., Villanova PA 19085 or  give online at www.villanova.edu/memorialgifts .  and direct funds to the Villanova Athletic Fund and in Memory of Ted Aceto (follow remaining prompts to complete) or to Alzheimer's Association or to a charity of the donor's choice.