Terrence Terry Thompson

Terry was born at the General Hospital in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. He weighed 7 pounds 3 ounces and was 20 inches long. The doctor who delivered him was Doctor Spratt .

Terry was the son of Douglas Arthur Thompson and Jean Marie Burd. Doug was serving overseas as a carpenter in World War Two and therefore did not see his newborn son until his return home when Terry was 5 months old. It is recorded in his baby book that his Daddy brought him a pair of pullovers and a sweater and bonnet from Wales where Doug had visited Terry's Great Uncle Vic. He is named after his father's friend Terry Murphy and his two grandfathers John Burd and Stephen Thompson. Terry had one sibling, Victor Clarence who was born when Terry was 7 years old.

As a newborn, Terry lived on Gore Street with his Mom and Grandpa Burd until his father returned home from the war. Shortly after Doug's return, they moved to their new home on Maki Road. This property had been purchased by Terry's grandfather, Stephen Thompson in 1925. Over time it was divided amongst his children and to this day much of it is still family owned.

Being raised on Maki Road Terry enjoyed growing up with the company of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins surrounding him. He had such fond memories of that time, that he once told his wife Jennifer that "his childhood was like Disney World". He felt very blessed to have experienced such a happy childhood.

During his early years Terry learned the importance of family and Christian values. His faith was important to him. Throughout Terry's life he attended both First Baptist Church and Bethany Baptist Church. He was surrounded by many wonderful role models within the family. He spoke very fondly of times spent up at the family homestead with his grandparents and Auntie Bea. The original family homestead was built on top of the hill and Terry made many trips up and down the hill to visit grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins!

While living on Maki Road he took great pleasure in the beautiful natural surroundings. After school he and his cousins would race home so that they could run back to the swimming hole for a quick dip. His best chum and playmate was his cousin Bill or as most relatives referred to him...Wim. Hunting partridge, building forts and playing in the bush were all a part of the fun. Winter time fun included tobogganing down the laneway, skating on Allard's Lake and building snow forts. The area was a hub of activity and it was not difficult to find a playmate. Having so many family members living nearby, the cousins knew they were always welcome at each other's homes. Terry liked having the choice of eating at Grandma's or another relative's home if he didn't like what was being served at home.

Apart from his relatives, Terry spent a lot of time with other neighbourhood playmates. The Aubins, Averys and Allards were longtime neighbours and friends of the Thompson families. These friendships and bonds continued throughout the rest of Terry's life.

One of his favourite indoor activities involved listening to Grandma's old radio up at "the house". Stories came to life as they were being told on the radio, the Lone Ranger being one of his favourites. With the introduction of television, Terry felt very privileged to be the first of the relatives to have a television in their home! He was now able to watch some of his favourite radio programs. He recounted the exciting story of his father buying a television from Mr. Jack Skippen. When the TV needed repairs it was Jack Skippen who would make a house call and come to do the needed work. He would kneel behind the family television set and then peer over the top of it to talk. His bushy eyebrows and the glasses perched on the end of his nose were a vivid childhood memory that Terry and his Dad continued to chuckle over many years later.

As he grew older he helped his father and Uncle Percy in the bush with the horses, bringing out big logs for firewood and lumber. He was the son of a carpenter and learned numerous skills including woodworking and building techniques while working on area homes and camps. Many of the original camps on Sunnyside Beach were built by Doug and Percy Thompson. As an adult, Terry was able to make use of these woodworking skills around his own home. His woodworking skills were enhanced by his creativity. He constructed a beautiful coffee table using a leaf from his grandmother's dining room table, he made Jennifer a Deacon's Bench from his old colonial style wood bed and he built a beautiful gazebo in their backyard in memory of his father. These were just a few of his many woodworking creations throughout the years.

Speaking of Sunnyside Beach, this was another wonderful memory for Terry. His father bought property and built a camp on Sunnyside Beach and many of his childhood memories were made at the camp. He told of a time when a tide phenomenon occurred and the water receded as far out as the island in front of the family camp. He and some friends had taken advantage of this occurence and walked out on the sand to the island. Much to their amazement the water came quickly back to shore leaving them with no option but to swim back. He so loved the area and was very upset when his father sold the camp. He eventually bought a home in Prince Township on Second Line which is only a few kilometers away from Sunnyside Beach where he spent many happy summers. For 33 years he took great pleasure in his home and loved what country living had to offer.

Terry attended W.J. Lamming Public School. Here he met a very special friend with whom he maintained a friendship throughout his entire life. Ralph Jussila became a lifelong friend. Throughout Terry's childhood and adult years he exhibited a keen mechanical ability. This formed the basis for a common interest with the Jussila brothers that fostered a passion for building and restoring classic cars. Over the years they attended many classic car shows and deep friendships formed with the "car guys" and their families.

Terry was not at all fond of the structured classroom and from his report cards the general comment was that he had the "potential" to be an excellent student. He much preferred to be inventing, creating and building something that he had envisioned! He had a wonderful personality, a carefree spirit and got along very well with others. He found it very difficult to concentrate on the lessons being taught when his imagination was working hard at more interesting projects. The principal during the time of his attendance at W.J. Lamming school was Mr. H. M. Robbins who now has a school named after him. He was a strict teacher but well-loved by his students.

On Terry's 14th birthday he broke his hip while playing. This accident caused a lot of trial and suffering at a very young age. The Doctor who operated on Terry was Dr. William Hutchinson. He was an esteemed surgeon at the Sault Area Hospitals and was recognized annually for his distinguished contribution to health services. There is a commemorative plaque of him in the foyer at the new Sault Area Hospital. Although the doctor tried to save his hipbone by placing pins in his hip Terry's hip did not heal properly and he eventually needed to have a total hip replacement. He spent three months in the hospital recovering from this surgery. Although it left him with a noticeable limp, Terry never considered it an obstacle and enjoyed a normal life.

He attended Sault Ste. Marie Technical and Commercial High School and graduated with his high school diploma from Bawating Collegiate and Vocational School in 1966. He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favourite classes and teachers. It is no surprise that his favourite class in high school was Machine Shop. His love of cars began early and like many students in high school he had his own car.

Terry was a good team player, and very well liked by his friends and coworkers. His first job was in 1963 when he worked for the Avery brothers in construction as a summer student for 3 summers. After graduating from high school, he was immediately hired by the Community Services Board for the city of Sault Ste. Marie and worked at Pointe Des Chenes Park as a labourer. He absolutely loved this job. His employment with the City continued as he was transferred to Bellevue Park as a labourer. In 1985, he was transferred to the Cemeteries Division where he worked as a Mechanical Repairman and shortly thereafter, he was promoted to Lead Hand / Foreman, a position he held until he retired in June 2001. Terry always felt very grateful and proud of his employment with the Corporation of the City of Sault Ste. Marie.

There was one thing that all of Terry's friends knew and will still remember, and that is that he was a great story teller. He loved history and especially the history of Sault Ste. Marie, as well as Korah and Prince Townships. He could pretty much talk to anybody about anything. This quality is one of the primary reasons that Terry was such a popular person throughout his life. But Terry was also dependable, loyal and trustworthy. He had a great sense of humour and was the kind of person that people simply liked to be around. When Terry made friends, he made true and lasting friendships. His longtime "buddies" were Ralph Jussila, Tex McCorkle and Fred Hotchkiss.

Terry was a faithful and loving person which made him a terrific husband. His kindness and consideration radiated an aura of warmth to those around him and he carried these qualities into his marriage. On August 31st, 2001 Terry married Jennifer Helga Marie Graham in the backyard of his house in Prince Township. Together they enjoyed turning this house into a welcoming home for their friends and family. Considerate and devoted, Terry enjoyed his married life and the time that he and Jennifer spent together.

After his retirement he kept busy maintaining their home and property in Prince Township. In addition to the gazebo, he also built decks on the front and sides of their home and designed and built two beautiful garden sheds. Terry loved to vegetable garden and each year challenged himself to improve on the previous year. His gardening season started in the late winter when he began germinating tomatoes from seed and many people looked forward to receiving their home-grown tomato plants each spring.

A creative man, Terry's interests were many and varied. He enjoyed spending time working on his various hobbies. His favourite pursuits over the years included vegetable and flower gardening, cooking, preserving pickles and jellies, making maple syrup, wood cutting, spending time in the bush, hunting, fishing, carpentry, including restoring antique furniture, and the list goes on and on. However, his most well-known hobby was building and restoring classic cars. When winter approached each year, he looked forward to watching and cheering on his favourite curling teams.

Terry and Jennifer enjoyed going on short holidays. They especially enjoyed going to Traverse City every year to get a head start on their Christmas shopping. Christmas was a favourite time of year for Terry. He began decorating, putting up Christmas lights and planning the holiday celebrations early so that he could make the season last as long as possible. In recent years he fulfilled a long held dream of creating a Christmas village and train display .

Terry was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. As a child, he had various pets including a Persian kitten, dogs and rabbits. During his teenage years he also had two white rats that he liked to carry on his shoulder! He absolutely loved dogs and especially loved the Shih-tzu breed. In his adult years his two faithful pets were Benny who he had for 13 years and Teddy who continued to be a faithful companion to him.

Terry passed away on September 20, 2013 at Algoma Residential Community Hospice. Terry fought a brave battle against cancer. His attitude during his illness remained positive and gracious and he maintained a thankful spirit through it all. He is survived by his wife Jennifer and brother Victor. Services were held at Arthur Funeral Home. Terry was laid to rest in West Korah Cemetery in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

EULOGY (as read at the Funeral Service)

Jen's Thoughts on her Husband

Things you may or may not know about Terry or Terrence as Jen called him.

Terry was a fiercely independent person.

He had beautiful blue eyes and was given the native name - Kind Eyes -by his long ago native friend.

Chevrolet all the way - a Bowtie was the only symbol that should be on your vehicle!

Since Terry came into Jennifer's life, she learned that Friday night was always "Burger Night" at Terry's house. This has become a tradition that has caught on with others. Barbecued burgers, sausage burgers, sloppy joes .....all are acceptable!

He loved to wear Chevy T-shirts and jeans and don't forget the ball cap.

He could build a Chevy engine from the bottom up.

He loved the rumble of a great hot rod! Hearing a hot rod commanded his attention!

He sported a really great moustache for as long as most of us can remember!

He loved to eat Crab legs & Prime rib with really hot horseradish.

A leg of lamb was a really special treat but you had to make your own mint sauce!

Terry had great sense of humour and always lightened the atmosphere - sometimes we didn't know what he would say..............but that was Terry! I'm sure you'll agree that he definitely had a way with words.

Terry and Jen were actually married twice. On Aug 30th they were married in Soo Michigan by their American Pastor friend. Terry thought it was great because he and Jen drove the 55 Chevy across the river and best of all he got to wear a Chevy T-shirt and jeans. The formal wedding was the next day for family and friends.

He was a wonderful husband who was kind & loving to his wife. Terry and Jen enjoyed 12 years of marriage and have known each other for 20!

He was an excellent chef who took great pleasure in cooking each and every day. He did all the grocery shopping too! Jen had it really good!

He loved absolutely everything about Christmas from putting up Christmas lights, decorating the house and Christmas shopping and he was a really thoughtful gift giver. - Christmas villages & trains were a favourite too.

He loved Shih-tzu puppies and thought that they are the cutest breed out there.

He was a skilled carpenter. He built a gazebo in his and Jen's yard in honour of his father. Terry's creativity & handiwork is everywhere in the yard and inside their house too.

He loved to plant and grow a garden every year. Half of the fun was going to local greenhouses to buy seeds and plants.

Every fall he made his signature "dill pickles" and "crab apple jelly"!

He had a theory that...................."Equipment wasn't worth owning if it didn't burn gas"!

He built a 55 Chevy from 2 cars. He used the body of a hardtop car and the front and back from a 4-door car that were absolute scrap to make one shiny Hotrod! At the time, there were a few people that thought he was crazy for doing so.

His favourite season was the Fall. Going up to Maki Road was a great pleasure for him. Riding his four wheeler, cutting and hauling firewood.....that wasn't work to him.......it was fun!

He painted he and Jen's 2 storey house with a paint brush because Jen thought that it needed a fresh coat!

He loved and thought of his sister-in-law's children, Christopher, Nicholas and Allison like they were his very own.

Said that the only thing to stop hair from falling .......was the floor!

He broke his hip when he was only 14 years old. Within the year he received an artificial hip. He never stated that his hip hurt him and told Jen the only time it might bother him is "if he kneeled on the cement garage floor".

Nowadays the average hip replacement lasts for only 10 years. God was very good to him!

Loved to go to car shows, socialize with friends, listen to classic "rock & roll" and was an authority on vintage classic car makes and models.

Told Jen one time that he had a great childhood and that it was like Disney World where he grew up on Maki Road....and he really meant it!

He was a wealth of knowledge about history especially local history and the pioneer families of Korah and Prince Township

He loved his family and loved family gatherings.

He loved his friends like they were family!

He was a solid believer in Christ where he placed his hope.

Terry lived his life with "An Attitude of Gratitude" and was thankful for each and every day!

He was a very content person, always grateful for whatever he had and not always searching for something better.

If he was standing right here in front of you he would say, THANK-YOU to each and every one of you for coming.

While in the hospital he had many visitors and became very overwhelmed and said to Jen, " I didn't realize so many people cared"

These past months have been overwhelming for many reasons.

Most of all for the outpouring of words of encouragement, the support we have received and the kindness that has been expressed to both himself and Jen.

The Hymn that was sang at the Funeral Service - "In Christ Alone"

"In Christ Alone"

In Christ alone my hope is found,

He is my light, my strength, my song;

this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,

firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace,

when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!

My Comforter, my All in All,

here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! who took on flesh

Fulness of God in helpless babe!

This gift of love and righteousness

Scorned by the ones he came to save:

Till on that cross as Jesus died,

The wrath of God was satisfied -

For every sin on Him was laid;

Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain:

Then bursting forth in glorious Day

Up from the grave he rose again!

And as He stands in victory

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,

For I am His and He is mine -

Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,

This is the power of Christ in me;

From life's first cry to final breath.

Jesus commands my destiny.

No power of hell, no scheme of man,

Can ever pluck me from His hand;

Till He returns or calls me home,

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

The Song that was played at the Funeral Service - Turn Turn Turn

Words-adapted from The Bible, book of Ecclesiastes

Music-Pete Seeger

To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)

There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)

And a time to every purpose, under Heaven

A time to be born, a time to die

A time to plant, a time to reap

A time to kill, a time to heal

A time to laugh, a time to weep

To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)

There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)

And a time to every purpose, under Heaven

A time to build up,a time to break down

A time to dance, a time to mourn

A time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together

To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)

There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)

And a time to every purpose, under Heaven

A time of love, a time of hate

A time of war, a time of peace

A time you may embrace, a time to refrain from embracing

To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)

There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)

And a time to every purpose, under Heaven

A time to gain, a time to lose

A time to rend, a time to sew

A time for love, a time for hate

A time for peace, I swear it's not too late

THOMPSON, Terrence (Terry) John Stephen – It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Terry Thompson at the Algoma Residential Community Hospice on Friday, September 20th, 2013 at the age of 68. Terry was delivered from his suffering and is now with his Lord and Saviour. Dearly loved husband and best friend of Jennifer Graham-Thompson. Predeceased by his parents Douglas and Jean Thompson. Dear brother of Victor Thompson. Uncle to Jennifer (Todd) Fry, Valerie (Kurt) Ganness. Great uncle of Alex, Nate, Abigail and Ethan. Dear son-in-law of Archie (late Helga) Graham. Cherished brother-in-law of Debbie Graham, John Graham, Caroline Graham, and Robert (Jin) Graham. Favourite and cherished uncle to Christopher (Kristen), Nicholas, and Allison Cripps. Friends may call at the Arthur Funeral Home on Monday, September 23, 2013 from 6-9 pm. Funeral service in the chapel on Tuesday, September 24, 2013 at 11 am. Pastor Jack Devries officiating. Interment West Korah Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to ARCH, First Baptist Church, Bethany Baptist Church, or the Sault Area Hospital Foundation. Expressions of sympathy may be offered at www.arthurfuneralhome.com.

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THOMPSON, Terrence (Terry) John Stephen – It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Terry Thompson at the Algoma Residential Community Hospice on Friday, September 20th, 2013 at the age of 68. Terry was delivered from his suffering and is now with his Lord and Saviour. Dearly loved husband and best friend of Jennifer Graham-Thompson. Predeceased by his parents Douglas and Jean Thompson. Dear brother of Victor Thompson. Uncle to Jennifer (Todd) Fry, Valerie (Kurt) Ganness. Great uncle of Alex, Nate, Abigail and Ethan. Dear son-in-law of Archie (late Helga) Graham. Cherished brother-in-law of Debbie Graham, John Graham, Caroline Graham, and Robert (Jin) Graham. Favourite and cherished uncle to Christopher (Kristen), Nicholas, and Allison Cripps. Friends may call at the Arthur Funeral Home on Monday, September 23, 2013 from 6-9 pm. Funeral service in the chapel on Tuesday, September 24, 2013 at 11 am. Pastor Jack Devries officiating. Interment West Korah Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to ARCH, First Baptist Church, Bethany Baptist Church, or the Sault Area Hospital Foundation. Expressions of sympathy may be offered at www.arthurfuneralhome.com.