Beloved friend, artist and war hero Theodore “Ted” Basrak died Nov. 16 at his home in Clinton.

Basrak was born July 8, 1922 in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. He was 86.

Having emigrated to the United States from his home after World War II, Basrak eventually retired to Whidbey Island where he resided for 32 years, drawing inspiration from the the island’s landscape and its changing weather.

Stormy skies intrigued him and inclement weather inspired Basrak who became an avid painter. He became one of the first members of the cooperative group of artists at the Whidbey Artists Gallery in Langley.

He was fond of his studio and the respite it provided him, but also enjoyed the company of others.

Basrak was an avid storyteller with a colorful life full of riveting tales of fighting for the resistance during World War II. Basrak received honors for saving 32 airmen after they crashed in Yugoslavia.

Basrak was also fond of telling the romantic stories of meeting his first wife, the late Dorothy Basrak, née Ellwanger, whom he spoke of with great affection.

He traveled widely in Europe and South America and revealed a passion for life and people, engaging in storytelling with the many friends who became endeared to Basrak throughout his active life on the South End.

Basrak leaves behind two sons, one daughter-in-law, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Arrangements are being made by Visser Funeral Home in Langley. A full obituary will be published in a later edition of The Record.