Terry Connor is being remembered as a beloved, giving member of the Gibsons and district community. He was 87 when he died on March 26 as the result of a fall at a curling bonspiel a week prior.
Longtime friend Larry Boyd, a fellow curler and Legionnaire, recalled many of the organizations Connor helped. One of the biggest contributions the men made to the sporting life in Gibsons was the founding of the curling club in the early ‘70s. Prior to that, the only curling on the Coast was at the Sechelt Arena, where, according to Boyd, the ice was not the best.
In the early days it was difficult finding people who had even curled before.
“I was designated a skip because I’d played a few games in Trail where I came from. Terry was lead, and along with another couple who had never curled before, we played our first game,” Boyd said.
Connor was quickly known as the fellow who would always help out. Whether manning the bar in the lounge or volunteering running the league, he was someone others counted on.
Another cause close to the men’s heart, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 109 in Gibsons, was also a beneficiary of Connor’s willingness to volunteer.
“I don’t know how many times Terry painted parts of the Legion, the lounge, the hall — whatever needed done, Terry would do,” Boyd said. “Although he had a painting business, he never charged us a dime. We’d supply the paint, and he would do the labour for free.”
Over the years Connor served on the executive and helped in other capacities. He was the smiling bartender at many a Legion fundraiser. And as a veteran, he was a fixture at the annual Remembrance Day ceremonies. Over the years he laid many wreaths to honour his compatriots.
Another organization meaningful for Connor was the Gibsons United Church. For many years he was the maintenance man. Only a couple of years ago, he was still scaling the roof checking for leaks. Whenever there was something that needed doing, you could count on Connor to be the man to get it done. His regard for his fellow man didn’t stop at that church. For several years up to his passing he collected donations for the St. Bart’s Anglican Church Food Bank.
In 2010 he was recognized for his community good works as the parade marshal in the annual Sea Cavalcade parade.
Connor and his wife Marie were married for 50 years. He was father to Eileen and Richard and grandfather to Connor and Haley. Terry was born in England and never lost his droll British humour or his accent.
His life will be honoured in a Poppy Ceremony at the Gibsons Legion on May 9 from 1 to 4 p.m. The family requests donations to the Sechelt Hospital Foundation or Vancouver General Hospital in lieu of flowers.
