Terry attended Otterbein College in Ohio, where he earned his bachelor of arts degree in music performance as a trombone and euphonium player. He spent a year at the Cleveland Conservatory of Music, and went on to Kent State University earning his bachelor of science degree in music education. Terry moved to Maine in 1978 and later went to the University of Maine in Orono where he earned his master’s in music education. It was in graduate school where he met his wife, Becky.
Terry was an amazing musician and a gifted teacher. He touched the lives of thousands of young musicians, instilling a lifelong love of music in all of his students. Many went on to become music educators or professional musicians. It is with great fondness his former students remember him. Terry taught music in the Oxford Hills system, School Administrative District 74, Carrabec, and the Rumford school system.
Terry was very active in many ensembles throughout Maine. A man very much respected by his colleagues as both a musician and music educator, Terry held many leadership roles. Among them were president of the Maine Music Educator’s Association and president of the Kennebec Valley Music Educator’s Association. His proudest honor was when the Mountain Valley High School yearbook was dedicated to him in 2005.
His beautiful daughter, Lila, was the light of his life. Many wonderful days were spent as a family on their farm and at the camp. He loved to watch her ride and was very proud of the young woman she became.
Terry is survived by his wife, Becky, of Norridgewock; his daughter, Lila, of Cornville; a special aunt, Patricia Eastman, of Columbia, S.C.; uncles Kenneth Eldridge, of Portville, N.Y., and Jack Eastman, of Virginia; very special cousins Charles and Carl Shipman, of South Carolina, Chris Shipman, of Atlanta, Ga., and Carolyn Hughes, of Virginia.
Memorial services will be announced later in the spring.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Skowhegan Area Music Boosters, c/o Cheryl McGowan, 155 Academy Circle, SAMS, Skowhegan, ME 04976.
Please go to the page with the obituary at http://obituaries.onlinesentinel.com/obituaries/mainetoday-morningsentinel/obituary.aspx?pid=169784202 and scroll down to read the guestbook with thoughtful comments made by many of Terry’s former students.
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