Terrance A. (Terry) Silverthorne

April 19, 1930 - June 20, 2008

Rotarian May 29, 1976 - June 20, 2008

Our Friend and Fine Fellow Rotarian Terry Silverthorne passed away suddenly on Friday June 20.  We'll have one empty saddle at this year's Dream Home Roundup where Terry and Lois were dedicated sellers.  Terry took a great interest in the Dream Home Project - he participated in every DH Committee meeting in 2003-2004 when he was the Club Director responsible.  He contributed to Our Club for over 32 years through a score of Committees; but he'll always be best remembered as one of our friendliest and warmest members.  Terry went out of his way to welcome and get to know our new members.  He refused to get "old," and always felt young and able to do anything including playing a determined game of golf albeit a bit slower in recent years.  He delighted in sharing a ribald story with fellow Rotarians gathered in the parking lot following the meeting.  He had a great sense of humor.

Terry was born in St. Vital, Manitoba April 19, 1930.  Basketball was in his DNA - his father Al Silverthorne starred at guard and coached the Winnipeg Toilers, a legendary Canadian champion senior men's  team.  Several players and the pilots were killed on March 31, 1933 when their Tri-motor plane crashed while attempting an emergency landing in a plowed field outside Neodesha, Kansas on their return flight from Tulsa, Oklahoma where they played a series against the Tulsa Diamond Oilers.  Terry's Dad survived the crash but died too young when Terry was 19.  Terry continued the family basketball tradition as a talented player and coach.  (He coached George Deegan in the Winnipeg Junior Basketball League.)

Terry's business career began with Johnson & Higgins Insurance Brokers during which time he married Marg (Margurite Bouttell who passed away in 1995.)  He spent many years with the Marketing Department of Imperial Oil Limited in Winnipeg before being transferred to Calgary later leaving  Imperial to join Union Oil.  Terry started his own Company: South Calgary Autopar located in the Manchester area.  It was during his auto parts career that George Deegan introduced Terry to our Rotary Club.  His next career move led to his earning the position of Director of Major Accounts for Calgary and Southern Alberta with AGT Phone Power (Telus.)  Terry's AGT service included lots of travel to Thailand on business; he retired from Telus in 1993.  Retirement didn't suit Terry's style and he joined Investors Group where he credited our Charter Member Don McNeill for much of his considerable success in the Investment business.

Terry will be deeply missed by his wife Lois, son Allan and daughters Janet and Jill and a whole Club full of Rotarians.  We extend our sincerest condolences to his family.

Rest in Peace Terry.