Everyone Please Read: As an Honor to Terry, I'm Posting This in the Imperial Forum...

[mickeyd]

"Only the good die young."

To new members; When you hear of someone's passing, the superlatives fly loose and easy about how great the person was and on and on. Well, in Terry's case, every superlative is actually true. I know this because I was lucky enough to spend a week-end in his company in Canton. A walking, living, saint, not a bad word about anyone, genuinely interested in your life, instant friendship, a reassuring arm around the shoulder or a palm on the back. I loved this guy.

I walked into the Vacuum convention never having met anyone from AW/VAC. I was alone and nervous. Terry came right up and hugged me, invited me to meet him later for a drink at the hotel bar where his offer of friendship was so warm and honest that you felt you knew this first class guy all your life. And my God, he was a first-class guy!

A little later he invited me to eat at the table of his close friends who are in both clubs. This kind of generosity and consideration are so unusual, but you know what? Terry would do this for ANYONE. He loved everyone and was good to everyone. You talk about Christ-like, well, move over, Jesus!

To everyone: Did you ever realize that he has never published a harsh word toward anyone EVER. Not one word, not one syllable, not one time. If you were waiting for him to bad mouth someone, you'd wait forever. Such character, such moral decency. A model and an example of decency that humbles us all and whose memory we can most honor by imitating his qualities, right here, every day. How he'd love that.

Terry was the heart of AW/VAC, and our hearts are broken. Terry is irreplaceable.

To Terry: I loved you, my good man, and the next plane of existence is glittering with your presence. I am so sorry I haven't contacted you. You have been on my mind very much since Christmas. Oh.... if only. But now I can pray to you and visit you in the spiritual realm. I hope to see you tonight.

Love,

Mike. No link, blurry-eyed, I hit a key and can get it off. Typical. [this post was last edited: 1/26/2012-21:02]

http://"Only the good die young."

 

[easyspindry]

Terry was a true . . .

. . . friend to anyone he met. I met Terry in Omaha. He was the first person I spoke with and was amused at how enthralled I was to finally meet others with interests similar to mine.

We met again in Tucson where he shared with me a recipe for a cake that he had "thrown together" at Roger's.

How beautiful it is that his passing was indeed painless and that he was among his dear friends.

We should all consider ourselves lucky to have known someone like Terry. He was truly a remarkable, genuine person.

Peace.

Jerry Gay

 

[jeff_adelphi]

Such sad news

Such a sad start for the day yielded to such a fine day of tributes - all so very true.   So many places, and things, and friends.   It's no wonder, dear Terry.   A few rememberances from some of our favorite times. We already miss you---

 

[jeff_adelphi]

Another photo,

Cape Cod last summer

 

[jeff_adelphi]

Another photo,

Relaxing

 

[jetaction]

I too have some great memories of Terry.......

I recall some very memorable conversations with him together in the car in Arizona, on the phone and in notes and cards he sent me. A gentle spirit who loved nothing more than to take care of others.

 

[jeff_adelphi]

Terry-----

A big hug from ALL your friends!

 

[MaytagA710]

I just saw the post about this over on the other side.

I remember Terry from Vacuumland when I was more active in posting last year. He was a nice man, very helpful.

I am really sorry to hear this! I hope everyone is feeling okay, and my sincere condolences to everyone on the forum and family.

 

[fnelson487]

Some Pictures

And wonderful memories for me.  When I first met Terry I was totally entranced by what a wonderful, warm and genuine person Terry was.  He loved Electroluxes and I arranged to get a new-in-the-box rebuilt Electrolux G vacuum.  He was here for a gala for the Center on Halsted and I arranged to get him this machine.  After we got back from the black tie event after riding in limo downtown and back I held a mock lottery for the Lux G.  I totally rigged it so that Terry got the machine.  I handed out the tickets (all with the same number) and told everyone else if they claimed the prize I would "chop off their b@!!s".  No one dared claim it.  Here is Terry claiming his prize.

 

[pdub]

Very sorry to hear this.

I had only communicated with Terry through the forums here but always knew he was a genuine nice man and well loved by all he touched. I am sorry I myself never met him in person.

May he rest in peace under God's shining light.

Patrick

 

[fnelson487]

A Batch of Cookies

Made by Terry during one of his visits.  When I went through his bags looking for id's I found a box of cake mix and a bag of chocolate chips.  Totally Terry.  We'll miss you.

 

[chaskelljr2]

In Honor Of Terry.....

I don't have much to say, because in all of the decade that I have been a member here, I don't believe I have ever met Terry, nor communicated with him in any way. But I will say that I am sorry to hear of his passing.

I am sure Terry was a great guy for those who have had the privledge of interacting with him. And had he and I ever met anytime during his life, then that would've been my perception of him as well.

I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to Terry's family as well as his VERY extended family here on "www.automaticwasher.org". Whether we knew Terry or not, we still loved Terry as the same, and he will be sorely missed. Here at "www.automaticwasher.org", we have lost a valued friend indeed.

Just know now, Terry is in a better place, and I am sure there are a lot of vintage washers in heaven for Terry to play with and enjoy.

On this end, I would like to say, Rest In Peace, Terry. R.I.P.!!!!

--Charles--

 

[fnelson487]

Funeral Arrangements

Here are the funeral arrangements from Terry's nephew:

 

<span>We have set visitation for Tues 1/31 from 4-7 pm

The funeral service will be Wed 2/1 at 10am

Cotter Funeral Home
Momence, IL
815-472-2442

If you or anyone plans on attending, there are many hotels in kankakee or bourbonnais, IL</span>

 

[washernoob]

Thanks for that, Fred.

I hope many of you all can attend. I do wish I could. I know Terry has created very strong, firm bonds with so many club members all around the world.

He was, in a way, what one could call "the baking yeast" of the club. As we mingle in the mixmaster bowl, he lifted us up, and supporting us at all times, as we all soon find comfort amongst each other in the Frigidaire oven, as a big family.

Thanks again, Terry, and for everyone you have reached out to.

 

[70series]

My heartfelt and profound condolences to his family and friends both inside and outside the group. I have never met Terry, but those of you who have, and who knew him were obviously enriched by him. You have my sympathies.

James

 

[DirectDriveDave]

My sympathies go to his family and all of you who knew him well. I am another who has never met the man, but just from the pictures I can tell he was a very friendly and caring person.

May Terry rest peacefully.

 

[mistereric]

Awe, thats rotten news! What a nice man. Our condolences.

 

[golittlesport]

Very sad news

This is shocking sad news for anyone who knew Terry and a loss to us all. As all have shared here, Terry was a very loving, warm person. At the first DC wash in, I had dragged my partner Gary across the country to it and then abandoned him to the excitement of visiting with club friends and experiencing vintage washing machines in John's warehouse/museum. Terry saw Gary standing alone and not fitting in (Gary is not a washer-guy, but puts up with me.) He started talking to Gary and the two of them hit it off and had a great time all night. This was typical Terry -- making sure everyone feels welcome, and he was happiest when busy taking care of others. Gary and I will miss him very much. We are comforted by knowing Terry was with people he loved at the time he left us.

 

[dishwashercrazy]

Like everyone else, I am saddened by Terry's passing.

I will plan to attend the Funeral since it is under a 3 hour drive from Peoria.

Here is the link to the Funeral Arrangements at Cotter Funeral Home.

Mike

http://cotterfh.com/?menuitem=110&siteid=29&action=1&value=12&obituaries_action=2&obituaryid=113772

 

[peterh770]

I'm so saddened and shocked to hear this. We've lost such a great person and friend. Hugs and prayers to all...

 

[rapidry1000]

My condolence to Terry's family. Although I have never met Terry or all the fellow AW members at the various get togethers, I feel a personal connection through our interest in automatic washers.

 

[kenmoreguy64]

I am sorry that I never met Terry in person. I had thought that eventually our paths would cross at a wash-in or smaller gathering, and at that time I could meet the man whom several people have told me was such a great guy, and whom I had seen countless times in photographs. I always thought he looked like such a happy, warm, and caring soul and there is certainly proof of that here.

Two things profoundly strike me as I read this amazingly well-read and replied to post. First, Terry made a mark on the world and in the lives of many people. I am sure that he achieved more than we probably realize even amongst all these touching testimonials. To earn the caliber of acolades he did is truly special in this day, and we should all be so fortunate, and we stand to learn from his example.

Also, this is the third reminder in just a few days that I have had that life is brief, and should be embraced when we have the chance. Terry clearly knew that and practiced this each day. Earlier this week my Mom informed me that two neighbor ladies in Michigan, where I spent half my childhood, had died six weeks apart this past fall. We were the fourth of a four-house cul-de-sac which was built in 1967. There were kids my age in each of the other three houses and I got to know their moms very well. We were the first to move away ten years later. I always looked forward to their Christmas cards which came to my parent's house year after year after we moved, first to Denver and then to Charlotte. This year, when the cards didn't come, I feared the worst, and Mom sent some e-mails and found out that one lady died in September, and the other in October. In fact, the funeral of the first who died was the last public function the second lady had attended - they were neighbors since 1967. My Mom is now the last of four, and I can hardly fathom the logical extension one can make there.

This is just another example why we should grab life and live it while we can. We need to take at least a little bit of Terry's example on how to life a fine life for the good of ourselves and everyone else. As they say, immitation is the greatest form of flattery.

Rest in peace Terry. To all of us still here...live happy, live healthy, and live well.

Gordon

 

[cfz2882]

R.I.P.

very saddened to hear of a longtime AWO member and great friend to so many here
going off to the great beyond...
In tribute i ran a steaming,sudsing"imperial"load in the 'ol filter flo.
R I P terry

 

[alr2903]

Oh no,  sorry to hear of this,  Condolences to friends and family.

 

[mattl]

Such sad news.  Terry was so much a part of this forum, though I never met him, I felt I knew him - at least a bit- by reading his posts.  He always had something positive to say, I'm glad he found a home here as many of us have.  A sad day indeed.

 

[kenmore71]

As a bit of a newbie to the board, I never had the opportunity to meet Terry. All I can offer is the following:
"May the angels lead you into paradise. May the martyrs come to welcome you and lead you to the Holy City, the new and eternal Jerusalem where Lazarus is poor no longer. May you have eternal rest."

 

[toggleswitch]

Jeff Washaholic:

Your post above touches my memory and encapsulates the feelings that day had for me perfectly.

AMAZING!

Thank you!

 

[mrcleanjeans]

My condolences,sounds like a sweet man. I did not know him but I pray comfort for all and may he rest in eternal peace.

 

[revvinkevin]

 

 

I want to add a couple photos of Terry as well.....

 

Here he is with us just after dinner the evening before Robert & Fred's Wash-In, May 2010.

 

Kevin

 

[revvinkevin]

 

 

So many have said such wonderful and touching things about him.... we will ALL miss him very much! 

 

Now in the group photo in Robert & Fred's basement the day of the 2010 Wash-In.  

He's in the first row of people standing in the white shirt on the left.

 

Kevin