Mary Kanavas discusses legacy of her late husband Ted, and raises funds for scholarship

Bill Glauber
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

They first met at halftime of a Milwaukee Bucks basketball game and he thrust his hand out and said, "Ted Kanavas, nice to meet you."

Two months later, they met again at Rosie's on Water and they both knew this was true love.

"I always tell my kids, when you're not looking for it, it happens," she said. "And when you know, you know."

Mary Kanavas, wife of the late state Sen. Ted Kanavas, talks about her husband, while at Penelope's Restaurant in Elm Grove.

Mary Kanavas can't forget these moments, tucking them away with all the other memories of her late husband and the 25 years of marriage they shared.

Ted Kanavas, a popular Republican politician from Brookfield who served in the state Senate for 10 years, died July 3 after battling an aggressive form of cancer for more than two years.

He was just 56. It was a death that hit Wisconsin's political world hard. He befriended people, no matter their party.

When he helped found Michael Best Strategies in 2014, the lobbying and public relations arm of the national law firm Michael Best & Friedrich, he brought in Republicans and Democrats.

Former state Sen. Ted Kanavas of Brookfield.

For much of his battle with neuroendocrine cancer, most people outside his family and a tight circle of friends did not know the severity of his diagnosis.

But Ted would not give up. With the time he had left, he accomplished a lot, helping build a new business, and saw many family milestones. According to Mary, his attitude in fighting the illness was simple: "We gotta keep going."

The family traveled to Greece. Ted got to see his son Nick play Division I college baseball. Saw his oldest daughter, Kelly, embark on a career with Walt Disney Animation Studios. And just a few weeks before his death, he was able to make it to his daughter Kate's high school graduation and even handed her the diploma.

It was Kelly who wrote her father's obituary, capturing his essence.

"From a very young age, Ted knew, precisely and clearly, exactly what he wanted to do with his life — serve his community," she wrote. "And he did, whether that meant serving as a state senator, coaching Bulldogs baseball, or writing the many letters of recommendation he so enjoyed sending."

"Although Ted was blessed to achieve many of his life's dreams, he found even more joy in helping others achieve theirs, especially the dreams of his children," she wrote. "Funny, charming, and so bright, Ted truly lit up every room he hustled in to."

No question. He was born for politics.

"Anybody who knew Ted Kanavas, knew he was going someplace," Mary said.

She said her husband told her that he knew since seventh grade he wanted to hold public office.

"Our first campaign manager said, 'You know, people like to see the candidate with their spouse. You guys go to an event and stick together,' " Mary recalled. "Ted and I looked at each other and were like, 'No, that's not the way we do things.' "

Ted was always prepared. Before any speech, he would practice to himself. It was something that Mary noticed early on. Just six months into their courtship, Ted was ready to propose.

One night, they were sitting together at the Elm Grove Inn, waiting at the bar before their table was ready, and Mary looked over and saw Ted concentrating and mouthing words to himself: "I love you very much."

"He was practicing his proposal at the bar, before I caught him red-handed," Mary said.

They married Aug. 31, 1991.

This year would have marked their 26th anniversary together. She called it "Our Day."

"I'm going to celebrate the love we had, the memories we made and the things that we shared," Mary said.

For Mary and their three children, the sense of loss lingers.

But they and others want to keep Ted's memory alive. On the day of his funeral, some of his former political aides came up with an idea to start a scholarship fund.

They're raising money for the Ted Kanavas Memorial Scholarship to be housed at the Waukesha County Community Foundation. The annual scholarship will be open to a Waukesha County four-year college-bound graduate.

A fundraising event last month in Madison drew Gov. Scott Walker and legislators, friends and former colleagues.

"It's so heartwarming, they get what Ted was all about," she said. "Ted was all about helping people, creating legacies."

A fundraiser for the Ted Kanavas Memorial Scholarship fund will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Dec. 7 at the home of Don and Kate Wilson. For more information, contact Laura Gralton at Laura@Graltonconsulting.com or (414) 881-1005.