Terrence Thorpe

It is with immense love and the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of Terrence Gerard Thorpe, our husband, Dad, Papa, brother, uncle and friend on July 6, 2021 at the Mazankowski Heart Institute, Edmonton AB.

Terry was a loving, strong, supportive, funny and stubborn man. Although over the past three years, Terry faced numerous health challenges, he fought with courage to stay with us without a complaint. It’s all the more heartbreaking knowing that he didn’t want to leave us yet. We thank you, Terry, Dad, Papa, for leaving nothing unsaid. Every time we spoke, he made sure that we all knew how much he deeply loved us, how very proud he was of all of us and how much he treasured the times we shared. This is the greatest gift that Terry could have given us.

Terry enjoyed a stiff rum and Pepsi, a good laugh, John Wayne westerns, travels to warm destinations, bow ties and funky socks, sitting in the sun, backyard painting parties and all sports. Although over the past few years Terry wasn’t able to go camping and fishing, he thoroughly enjoyed it. We’d like to think that he’s fishing right now. Above all, Terry loved spending time with his family, especially with his grandchildren.

Terry was born in Sarnia, ON, and spent most of his childhood in Barrancabermeja, Columbia. The family moved back to Canada and settled in Edmonton shortly before Terry joined the RCAF. After eight years of service to his country, Terry returned to Edmonton where he met the love of his life, Sylvia Quark in 1968.

For several years, Terry drove for Coachways/Greyhound and worked in the safety field prior to accepting a position with Syncrude Canada Ltd. in Fort McMurray. While with Syncrude, Terry held several management positions in transportation, catering, housing and loss management. After early retirement from Syncrude, Terry discovered he wasn’t good at retirement so he went back to work for another 20 years. During this time, he travelled extensively throughout Canada and the United States and as Terry would often joke, he “drove more miles backwards than most

people drove forwards.”

Terry will be forever lovingly remembered by his wife, Sylvia; his daughters, Laurel (Phil) Hawkswell, Tanya Shaw (Dean Pempeit), Shannon (Alvaro) Hernandez and his son, Jim Thorpe; his grandchildren, Quinlyn and Keaton Hawkswell, Brennen Pempeit-Shaw, Courtney (Steven) Giebelhaus, Cordell Pempeit, Tiana Thorpe (Mike), Evan Thorpe, Jordyn Elliot-Thorpe and Sammantha Thorpe and his great-grandchildren, Eliza and Ginny Giebelhaus and Dimitrie and Arthur Thorpe. Terry also leaves his brother, Mike (Candy) Thorpe, several sisters-in-law,

brothers-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews, many who were very close to his heart! Terry was predeceased by his parents, Gerry and Kay Thorpe and his sister, Leslie Widynowski.

Terry’s family wishes to extend a heartfelt, special thank you to Terry’s angels, the nurses in the 5B1 Kidney Unit at the U of A hospital. They were always so compassionate, kind and caring.

In accordance with Terry’s wishes, there will be no funeral service.

Donations in Terry’s memory may be made to the Kidney Foundation ( www.kidney.ca ).