Theodore "Ted" Block

Theodore "Ted" Block, a cornerstone of the Tamaqua community and former proprietor of Charles X. Block men’s apparel store, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 17, 2026, at Main Line Health, Paoli. He was 94 years old.

Born in Tamaqua on Sunday, September 15, 1931, Ted was the son of the late Charles and Rose (Woolf) Block. A proud 1949 graduate of Tamaqua High School, he earned his degree from Temple University in 1953 before honorably serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. In 1959, he returned home to lead the family business, a fixture of downtown Tamaqua for decades.

Ted’s legacy is also defined by his tireless civic leadership. He served as President of the Tamaqua Chamber of Commerce and held a long tenure on the TIDE Board, where he was instrumental in developing the Rush Township Park. His expertise benefited many regional institutions; he chaired the Schuylkill County Planning Commission, served on the Reading Area Community College board, and held directorships with American Savings Bank and Keystone Financial.

A man of deep faith and social connection, Ted was a former President of Temple Israel in Hazleton. In retirement, he and his wife, Selma, enjoyed their time at the Valley Country Club in Drums and the Venetian Country Club in Venice, Florida.

His family will remember him for the great depth, vision, and reliability of his love and support for each of them throughout their lives together. Ted is survived by Selma Libby (Spector) Block, his beloved wife of 72 years; daughters, Audrey Snyderman and her husband Alan, Margo Michel and her husband Ian; grandchildren Laura Lohmann-Michel and her husband Edwin, Katherine Michel, Scott Snyderman, Robert Snyderman and his wife Yanara Friedland; and great-grandchild, Nelly Friedland. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Martin Spector and his sister-in-law, Lois Block.

Ted was also predeceased by his daughter, Susan Joy Block, on June 26, 1979, and his brothers, Leon and Eugene Block, and his sisters-in-law, Cecilie Block and Cindy Spector.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 655 East Broad Street, Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252, (570) 668-2550.

Burial will be private at Washington's Crossing National Cemetery. Shiva will be held at 6:00 pm on Thursday, April 23rd, at the home of Margo and Ian Michel, located at 170 Cricket Avenue, Ardmore, PA 19003, with a Minyan Service beginning at 6:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ted’s memory can be made to the Susan Block Memorial Fund at the Tamaqua Public Library (www.taplpa.info.com).

Condolences or a fond memory of Ted may be made to the family at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com.