Alberton, PEI – It is with sadness that the family of Ted Andrews announces his peaceful passing on July 22, 2026, in Alberton, PEI.
Born on August 17, 1939, in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Ted was raised in Waverley, where he developed the competitive spirit and work ethic that would define his life. As a young man, he rowed with Northstar Rowing Club, enjoyed playing hockey, and attended Dalhousie University.
In the late 1960s Ted joined Clayton Developments, where he rose to become Vice President, leading many key projects, including the development of Colby Village. Outside the office, however, another passion steadily grew. What began as a hobby racing Standardbred horses at Sackville Downs evolved into a pursuit that would ultimately redefine his life.
In the summer of 1980, Ted and his wife, Marilyn (Ripley), relocated to Florida so he could pursue harness racing professionally. Walking away from a successful career was a leap few would have made, but Ted had never been afraid to bet on himself. It was a decision that transformed not only his career, but his life.
Over the next two decades, Ted established himself as one of North America’s premier Standardbred trainers and drivers and became one of the most accomplished harness horsemen ever to come out of Nova Scotia. His stable wintered at Sunshine Meadows in Delray Beach and competed at many of the sport’s most prestigious venues, including The Meadowlands, The Red Mile, The Meadows and on The Grand Circuit. Fellow horsemen came to know him for his exceptional ability to develop young trotters.
Ted reached the pinnacle of the sport in 1984 when Fancy Crown, driven by fellow Nova Scotian Bill O’Donnell, captured the inaugural Breeders Crown for three-year-old trotting fillies. The victory came after Fancy Crown had established a world record earlier that season before being named the United States Trotting Association’s Three-Year-Old Trotting Filly of the Year and Harness Horse of the Year. A profile in the Washington Post noted that Ted had risen through the harness racing ranks with remarkable speed, developing three champion trotters in only two years, including Gentle Stroke and Power Seat along with Fancy Crown. The Post noted this was a remarkable achievement in one of North America’s most competitive sports. Ted’s accomplishments were also chronicled in leading industry publications, including Hoof Beats and Atlantic Post Calls.
Following his years on the North American racing circuit, Ted returned to Atlantic Canada in the late 1990’s, where he continued to contribute to the sport as Director of Racing for the Maritime Provinces Harness Racing Commission, based in Summerside, PEI.
Away from the racetrack, Ted found another arena where he was equally fearless: the kitchen. A gifted cook, he approached food much as he approached racing, always striving to make something better. He delighted in mastering challenging dishes and preparing meals that brought family together. His sons inherited his love of cooking, and today that tradition continues through his grandchildren. Gathering to cook and share a meal together remains one of the most enduring legacies he leaves behind.
Ted also found great enjoyment on the golf course, where he appreciated both the challenge of the game and the friendships it fostered.
Ted is survived by his wife, Marilyn; his sons, Scott (Sharon) and Kevin (Christine); his grandchildren, Christopher, Spencer, Taylor, Nicholas, Katherine, Sebastian and Isabel; his younger brother, Wayne Andrews; and his older sister, Nancy Cameron. He was predeceased by his son, Dwayne Andrews, and his sister, Carolyn Murphy.
Ted lived life on his own terms. Whether standing in the winner’s circle at North America’s premier racetracks, perfecting a new recipe in the kitchen, or enjoying a round of golf with friends, he approached every challenge with an independent spirit. His accomplishments in harness racing established him as one of Nova Scotia’s most accomplished ambassadors in the Standardbred racing world, while the traditions he created around the family table continue to bring generations together.