A lifelong activist who always put members’ needs first, he worked more than 40 years fighting for the United Auto Workers’ active and retired members. His commitment to social and economic justice never wavered.
He passed away Sunday, October 9, 2022, at age 78. He was born in Detroit on January 11, 1944, he was a loving son to his late parents Bernice and Sam Terry. He attended Pershing High School. He was predeceased by his two brothers, Donald and Raymond Terry.
He is survived by Gloria, his wife of 41 years, and his son, Jeffery Terry (Lisa) and daughter Kim Wirgau (Norm). He was predeceased by his sons, infant Michael Terry and David Allard.
As a proud Army veteran in 1963, he joined the UAW Local 189 at the Udylite Corporation, where he was a fabricator and field installer. Early on, he held a number of elected positions. He was elected Local 189 president in 1978- a position he held for three terms- and later led its merger into Local 155.
Appointed to the UAW International Staff in 1985 by former President Owen Bieber, he helped organize 22,000 State of Michigan workers. He later served in the union’s Technical, Office and Professional, and General Motors departments, and was named assistant director of the UAW-GM Center for Human Resources in 1994. He became assistant director of Conference Coordination, Motor Sports and Mobile Exhibits when he was elected Region 1 director in 1999.
He retired in 2004 with 41 years’ of service.
A member of the NAACP, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists and the Economic Alliance of Michigan, he served on the Caring Program Committee of the Father Clement Kern Foundation, the AFL-CIO’s LaborFest Committee and was active in the Michigan Democratic Party.
Surrounded by unconditional love, he was a proud grandfather to five grandchildren: Nicholas Wirgau, Darrian Fortier (Miles), Brian Wirgau, Audrey Terry and Bethany Terry. And he was lucky enough to be a great-grandfather to great-grandson, Elliot Joe Fortier.
He was loved by many nieces and nephews. You know who you are. An avid boater, golfer, classic car lover, and eternal optimist. He was also a lifelong Detroit Lions’ fan.
He loved his friends: Steve, Ricky, Danny, Fred, Don, Richard, Bob, Dave, Mike, Delbert, Bill, Robert, and many more. Those who were no longer with us will be glad to see him, especially Steve and Ricky, who will likely bust his chops for being late.
His life was filled with more than a few devoted four legged companions as well: bulldogs Beatrice, Maggie, and Peggy Sue, and, of course, King Barney, who will miss him very much.
Visitation will be held Thursday, October 13, from 2PM-8PM at A.H. Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Ave. Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236.
An instate will be held Friday, October 14, at 9:30AM at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 22412 Overlake St. St. Clair Shores, MI 48080, followed by a funeral Mass at 10AM.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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