Terry Rodney Woo

He grew up in East Vancouver‘s historic Chinatown and attended the good Shepherd Mission for kindergarten, Strathcona Elementary School for grades 1 – 8, and Britannia High School for grade 9–12. Well in high school, he was allowed to bus out to UBC on his own to attend a football clinic given by the legendary coach, Don Coryell, and football became his lifelong passion.

His university years were spent at UBC where he earned a Bachelor of Commerce – Finance in 1972. After university, he was recruited by the Toronto Dominion Bank and soon became out of the company’s youngest branch managers. At the same time, he also studied and became a Notary Public and practiced for a few years.

He developed a passion for racquetball and eventually left the bank and made the bold move to open his own club, West Coast Racquet World, in 1981. Even though the club was caught in the 1980’s meltdown (and 22% interest rates), it set the stage for his next move, heading downtown to take over the Supreme Racquetball Club. He rebranded it as The Club on Top, and the legend began.

The Club on Top was a gathering place for many and hosted numerous local, provincial, and national champion tournaments, complete with catered dinners and live music featuring great musicians like the legendary guitarist Henry Young.

Terry hosted Monday Night Football watch parties and started the unforgettable CCFN (cheap Chinese food nights) for the members and their guests. He also offered space at the club to the BC Lions Cheerleaders, where they rehearsed three times a week for years in one of the courts, which was converted to a dance studio. To this day, many of his friends are former cheerleaders.

While owning the Club, Terry lived right across the street in the historic Manhattan apartment building, with his roommate and lifelong friend, Helen Romano. The proximity to the Club made it easier for him to manage the long hours and dedication to the racquetball community. Once the time came for him to sell the club in the early 2000s, Terry moved on to become the bar manager at Burnaby 8 Rinks (Scotia Barn), and hosted events at the Hycroft University Women’s Club on the side.

A few years later, a friend (knowing Terry‘s ability to speak to people and take care of business) suggested he try managing an apartment building. Terry found this change, both challenging and rewarding and eventually was approached by another company to manage some of their properties, a profession he shared with his nephew Shane Tejero. Terry was just months away from retiring.

For fun, Terry was an avid BC Lions fan, and was a season ticket holder since 1972. He and his childhood friend, Tennyson Choo, could always be spotted in their cherished seats behind the lions bench (1st row, 55 yard line) and they were in the process of renewing for the 2026 season. He and his friends would make the trek to Seattle multiple times a year to watch the Seahawks play. He loved going to Dal Richard’s concerts at the Orpheum, attending Vitner‘s Brunches at the Wine Festival, and listening to Motown music. He enjoyed lunches with his friends on a regular basis and was a member of the Vancouver Chinatown Lions club. When the sun was out, Terry could be seen cruising around town in his convertible Mustang. He enjoyed traveling, and always talked about spending more time in Hawaii. With encouragement from his granddaughter, at the ripe old age of 75, he quit smoking after 60 years, but never gave up his drink of choice, Diet Coke.

Terry had the ability to create a family out of strangers and was the glue that held large groups of people together. He made everyone feel special, showed up when it mattered, helped without being asked, and loved fiercely. His loyalty was rewarded through being known as Uncle Terry to the younger generation. His trademark sense of humor was unfiltered and fearless. He always knew someone anywhere he went and was respected by hundreds both in and out of the racquetball community. Terry’s legacy will live on the stories we share in the memories we hold. He was a wonderful man who will be missed immensely.

He is survived by his son, Christian, (Talia), granddaughters Noga and Ori, sisters, Wendie (Dan) and Joanne, brother Derek, nieces Tanya (Leif) and Kathleen, nephew Shane, and many more in his extended family. Friends, Tennyson (Shirley), Helen (Paul), Deborah (Doug), childhood friends, members from the Club on Top, the racquetball community, those he knew from the BC Lions, many residents from his buildings and those whose lives he touched.

May he rest in peace.