Obituaries

GARRY JOHN TERLESKI
SEPT 9, 1946 – DEC 8, 2022

We had to let Dad go on Dec 8, 2022 due to medical complications.  My Mother, brother and myself were at his side.  He will be deeply missed by his loving wife of 54 years and friend of almost 60 years, Lois (Verrier), son Todd, and son Bryan (Lee).

Dad also leaves his sister-in-law Sharon Terleski (Bailey), brothers-in-law Ed Verrier and Randy Verrier and numerous friends, nephews and nieces, and colorful associates he met over the years.  He was predeceased by his parents Steve (2002) and Kay Terleski (2000), and his brother Ron (2021).

A proud born and raised north end boy, he first gained minor celebrity with the nick name “Little Fat Turk”.  Big Turk was his older brother Ron, and it is believed that the “Fat” was from his time as a young boy when he had his first health scare.  This would restrict his mobility/energy as a youth and affect the rest of his life.

This first health scare was with Rheumatic Fever, which caused damage to his heart valve(s).  However, he would live a very healthy live for another 40+ years before his next bought with heart issues.  It was also said that he was born with a small hole in his heart, that would also provide some complications.

Dad would meet his soul mate a the young age of 17 in the Selkirk Ave area where the boys used to play pool (Eddie’s) and the girls were not allowed inside.  Pauline’s lunch counter was a favorite of his and my Mother’s.

They would marry at 21 and live on Furby, north of Broadway in their first apartment.  They would soon move to the Chateau Guay on Goulet.  I was born and we moved to 21 Inman Ave and 50+ yrs later Mom still lives there.

Our long weekends were spent in Dauphin where his grandmother (our Baba) lived and so many memories were formed there.  One of my fondest was when we (my parents and my brother) had to sleep in a tent on the front lawn of Baba’s house.  There many great uncles and aunts visiting and there was so little space in her house.

We had an amazingly close family as both sides would alternate Christmas’ and other holidays, for example.  I would realize later in life that I took this for granted, in that both sides of the family got along so well.  We would spend time equally among both sides and would see each other many times in a month.

Dad provided us amazing support as kids, encouraging us to pursue what ever sports/hobbies we were interested in.  He also instilled a great work effect and morals to which I hold to this day.  He was/set a great example as a man, husband, father and provider.  He coached me in hockey (back in the outdoor rinks days), and coached me in baseball where we would ride our bicycles to the games.

He had a couple of different jobs as a young man, and eventually found his career with Powell equipment.  I can remember the car ride to the job interview that would take him to retirement.

I also have fond memories of being taken to Assiniboine Downs, but these adventures would stop when we started to play hockey.

Dad should have passed after his first valve replacement surgery, but it was said he survived due to the fact that he walked to and from work every day.  Yes, he walked from Fermor and St.Marys Rd to the corner of Fennel and Seel Ave (think, Waverly and Mc Gillvary Pl) EVERYDAY!!!  Google maps shows it as 1hr 23 min walk via Parker Ave.

It was this Arotic valve replacement that forced him into retirement.  My Mother has this fond memory of him being wheeled into surgery.  He held her hand and did his best Arnie impression saying, “I’ll be back”.  This scenario would happen 2 more times.  His Mitral valve being replaced in his second recent heart crisis.  His third would be the most devastating in which he successfully made through his surgery, but caught MERSA in the hospital which ate/removed half of his lung capacity.  It was said it was like breathing through straws.

He would have almost 15+ years of excellent health, as he was able to do all the things he loved:  going to Goldeyes games, working in the garden, Saturday morning breakfast at the Red Top, dinners at the Seine River Cafe on Provencher, and going to Grand Forks for the weekend once or twice a year to get away.

I was very fortunate to spend as much time as I had these past 15 years.  I would bring over movies/internet content every Sunday/holiday.  Peaky Blinders was his most recent favorite (it narrowly beat Breaking Bad, in HIS opinion).  We were almost finished the 3rd season of The Sopranos.

He fought to live so many times.  Rheumatic fever as a child, 3 heart surgeries and hospital MERSA.  We still cannot believe our fortune to have had him so as long as we did.  He often said, ‘I’ve been playing with house money for years’.

He was a very special man and will be/is deeply missed.  Mother and I will honor his life, efforts and wishes by living our best lives for as long as we can in the house the he worked so hard to provide all of these years.  Gone but definitely not forgotten, as we think of him (many times) everyday.

We would like to thank the staff of the St. Boniface Hospital, and especially the staff of the ICMS (Intensive Care).  We will be forever grateful for the exceptional care and compassion that you provided, not only to my father, but to my Mother and I as well.

Cremation has taken place and respecting his wishes no formal service will be held.