Shrewsbury – Peter L. Terry, of Shrewsbury, died unexpectedly Friday, April 11, 2014 while vacationing in Florida. He was 69.
He was born April 5, 1945 in Rockville Center, New York, a son of the late Lloyd and Roberta (Rifenburgh) Terry. While attending Port Jefferson High School, he was a triathlete: football, track and baseball. He was an excellent football player and captained the football team and would later try out for the New York Jets. He then earned an Associate degree from Suffolk Community College on Long Island.
Peter loved his work and was successful. For over 40 years he was a self-employed medical sales manufacturer's representative. He owned and operated Peter Terry Associates and was still working at the time of death. Throughout his professional career and personal life he always managed to find the good in everyone and many of his business contacts were friends, not just clients.
His first wife, Debra (D’Errico) Terry died Jan. 14, 2000.
To say Peter had a passion for automobiles is an understatement. It's said that in every grown man is a 12-year-old boy and Peter's fascination with automobiles was more than a hobby. He found love again and married Elaine P. Vacca June 29, 2002, and they built a home they absolutely loved in Amherst, New Hampshire, that they lived in until returning to Shrewsbury in 2012. And, they travelled the world. Among his favorite places were anywhere with the sun, a beach, and a casino. His love for football continued as a season ticket holder for the last 18 years with the Patriots. Other interests included skiing, golf, gardening, and reading.
Diagnosed with inclusion body myositis (IBM) six years ago, he fought the good fight and made the best of each day.
Love, like sunshine, warms every moment and brightens every day. Peter's love lives on in his wife, Elaine; his daughters, Gabrielle A. “Gabby” Terry of Shrewsbury, Jeanine A. Wakeman and her husband Andrew Ward of Danvers, Corinne Terry of Portland, Oregon, and Adriana F. Tarantino and her partner Andrea Davis of Millbury; his grandson, Bryce Wakeman; his brothers, Richard Terry and his wife Leslie of Brewster and Lloyd Terry and his wife Karen of Perry Hall, Maryland; many nieces, nephews; and many extended family members and friends.
Family and friends will honor and remember Peter's life by gathering for calling hours Wednesday, April 16, from 4 – 8 p.m., at Heald & Chiampa Funeral Directors ~ The Sumner House, 5 Church Road, On the Common, Shrewsbury Center, and again on Thursday morning in the First Congregational Church, 19 Church Rd., Shrewsbury, where his funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. The Rev. Lynne Dolan will officiate. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery.
Honor Peter's struggle with IBM with a contribution to Brigham and Women's Hospital, Department of Neurology, in c/o Dr. Anthony Amato, 75 Francis St., Boston, MA 02115.
