February 20, 1959 - June 5, 2021
In Loving Memory ~ On June 5, 2021, Terry Lavery passed away at home, in Half Moon Bay, BC, surrounded by the love of his family.
He will be remembered with love by his long-time partner, Maggie Marsh, his sons Kieran and Jaden Lavery, his sister Joanne Cooke (Bill), brother Hugh (Jeanette), sister Lynne (Fred Ryan), Maggie's sons Ryan, Graham and Andrew Marsh, nephews Grant Cooke, Mathew and Dan Lavery, nieces Leah Cooke, Beth and Alison Gerow, as well as Michele Lilyanna, the mother of his children (Peter Francis) and many close friends and colleagues.
Terry was born in Nanaimo, BC, the youngest child of Mavir and Elizabeth (Beth) Lavery. He grew up in the south end of the city, moving to the Departure Bay area in 1967. Terry was a natural athlete, particularly excelling in soccer, hockey and skiing. He had a lifelong love of anything with wheels, especially British sports cars (he owned over five, starting with a 1965 MGB and his last, a beautiful red 1989 TVR S2).
He also loved music: anything from classic rock of the '70s and '80 to current tunes by Kings of Leon and the Tragically Hip.
Terry graduated from UBC with a bachelor's degree in Community Recreation. He was an avid traveller, travelling to Europe in his 20s, South-East Asia and Australia in his 30s, through the States, Mexico and Cuba in his 40s and 50s with plans to travel to Peru and Machu Pichu with his son, Kieran, just as Covid hit.
His career was as varied as his interests: he was a teacher, a bus driver (both tour and school), a volunteer firefighter in Roberts Creek and more. He ended his career as a highly respected member of the Sunshine Coast Regional District as their Facility Services Technician.
Terry was very creative, able to build and fix anything, from "McGyvering" one of his many vehicles to renovating an old cottage, making decorative metal garden arches, building decks or adding an extension on the house. He loved the west coast lifestyle: being on the water, camping or hiking and he instilled in his sons a love of cars, motorcycles, the outdoors, travel and adventure.
Terry was also a gentle soul whose life was tragically cut short by cancer...facing this last challenge with immense strength and grace. He will be deeply and forever missed by those who knew and loved him.
Thank you to the doctors and nurses at the BC Cancer Society, Vancouver, and the Sechelt Hospital as well as the local palliative care nurses and aids for their attentive support to Terry and his family.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made, in his name, to the BC Cancer Foundation or the Sechelt Hospital Foundation. A celebration of Terry's life will be held at a future date.