Stories and Condolences for the late Terry Greatrex

 

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TERRANCE (TERRY) GREATREX

March 3, 1937 - March 12, 2016

 

With his family at his side, Terry Greatrex passed away on March 12, 2016 after, a lengthy battle with cancer, at the age of 79 years.

 

He is survived by his beloved wife Wilma; sons Ken (Wendy) and Terry Jr.; daughters Laurie (Dan) Lord and Marni (Mario) Blais; six grandchildren Chantal and Amanda Lord, Kristie and Zabrina Blais and Samantha and Matthew Greatrex.

 

A private family memorial service will be held.  Friends and relatives are invited to join the family for a memorial reception being held between 1:00 and 3:00 pm Wednesday, March 16, 2016 at the Southglen Trailer Park Community Hall, 38 Springwood Drive. (See the live map on this page)

 

Terry was also known as, Terrance Richard Herbert Greatrex, Big T, Terrible Terry, Dad, Grandpa, Uncle Terry, Big Guy, Big Man and Terry Sr..

 

Terry was an only child of Kenneth Melvin  and Anne (Eggleton) Greatrex. Terry was born in Timmins Ontario, March 3, 1937.  He married the love of his life Wilma on October 15th, 1960 and they shared wholeheartedly the story below. 

 

It wasn't an easy road or life, but with every set back he managed to pick us up and keep on going.  His final struggle taught us all the importance of being strong. He truly showed his family how strong we are, especially together!!

 

As a Grandpa, he was always extremely proud of his six grandchildren, Chantal, Kristie, Amanda, Zabrina, Samantha and Matthew.  They brought him great joy and pride.

 

Even though he was an only child deep in his heart he considered his cousins Margaret Jean (Tom) Webber and John (Wendy) Annandale as his sister and brother.  Wendy Annandale always had a very special place in dad's heart.  

 

Terry was also very fond of all of his inlaws, Anne, John, Lynda and Sharron and their families. He will also be missed by very special cousins, Suzanne Bell & Marion Ostrom. Dad was so pleased to have found and met with long lost Greatrex Family relatives  and he enjoyed their reunion in British Columbia.

 

Terry was a professional driver & salesman.   He drove cargo haulers, logging trucks, tanker trucks, pilot vehicles and busses.  He drove over many highways and some roads that were barely roads, all over  North America.  He ended his professional driving life as a bus driver and each day he drove special needs Adults from their homes to their jobs.  We know this was his favorite and most rewarding job.  He really loved his clients and had many stories to tell about and to them.

 

He always dreamed to find the next greatest item to sell, build or invent… this is not an exhaustive list but over the years he sold Williards Chocolates, Artistic Jewellery, Charley Chuckle Cards, Wonder Bra, McBrine Suitcases, Rhino Linings Spray in  box liners, Alumnitech Box covers, Purifiner Oil Filters, Truck Box Tents, Outdoor Camp Ovens and Hitchhands.

 

Most will remember Terry as a grand story teller; mostly true experiences, some perhaps stretched that truth and many turned into groaner jokes.  He loved to get that laugh or smile out of anyone he encountered.  This was a lifetime natural talent that he never let go of even at the end of this journey he entertained  his caregivers and cancer care attendants as best he could.

 

Terry had many passions throughout his life; his hobbies could easily become obsessions.  He dabbled in photography; model railroading; boating/fishing/grouse hunting; CB Radio, BBQ  & grilling to name a few.  Did we mention fishing & grouse hunting!!!   Feeding people was also a passion; especially after a big day of fishing; he would not hesitate to feed the campground.  There are many recollections of big feasts being organized by him:  Usually prepared by Wilma!  There was WOK stir fry cooking at campgrounds,  Cornroasts,  and more recently his Smoker BBQ Green Mountain Grill.    

 

Did we mention fishing? His love for Lake Trout fishing, specifically at beautiful West Hawk Lake was always present in any fishing conversation.  Actually dad seemed to enjoy teaching people how to fish more than his own personal enjoyment of fishing. His "always successful" technique using gang trolls, very heavy lead weight, letting out a specific amount of fishing line, controlling the boat at a specific speed and putting the minnow on a secret way allowed us to catch endless amounts of Lake Trout. He always said we never went fishing "We go Catching" ….. anyone who has been lucky enough to have gone fishing with us can certainly agree his method worked !!

 

Most who knew him also knew that he was always on an important Quest to find the best Fish and Chips ever… and in the end I believe The Glen in Ottawa seems to have won that award.  Are we still talking about fish?

 

Dad especially enjoyed the family time experienced while camping, fishing & Hunting.  Hunting Grouse for many many years has been a favorite family activity with most Thanksgiving weekends spent up in Nopiming Provincial Park and more specifically on a special "top secret" road to hunt along.  After more than 35 years of hunting this road dad seemed to know every curve, rock, tree or gully along the road. On any hunting trip down that road, he was always sure to point out every single family memorable spot…..there must have been hundred.

 

Throughout the last years of his life Dad experienced his most rewarding hobby/craft/talent, FLY TYING.  A talent passed down to him from his father Kenneth, who tied flies and sold them all over Northern Ontario.  There was a time when Ken's Flies would be seen for sale on the walls of most gas stations.  Dad took this talent and amazed us all with his creative hands and eyes, making the most beautiful hand tied flies.  He was always willing to teach or demonstrate to anyone who was willing to sit with him in his fly tying room.  There is no doubt this will be a tradition in our family going forward, with his grandson Matthew already demonstrating a natural knack for tying beautiful flies!! (see image).