Born in Port Arthur, Ontario to Mike and Nellie Guzzell, a younger sibling to Gaye-Lynne. Dad was a rambunctious sort always finding a way to raise an eyebrow or two! He attended Pine Street School, St. John's Ravenscourt and for a while Port Arthur Tech (Hillcrest High). Four walls and closed doors never really captured his attention nor tickled his fancy! So at an early age he decided to explore greener pastures in St. Catherines with his buddies Glen Di Paulo and Dave Engstrom. Eggy stayed and Glenn and Dad returned to PA. Dad joined his Father with the family business - Lakehead Window Cleaning "Letting Sunshine into Lakehead Windows since 1937"
Carrying a five-gallon pail of water and lugging ladders through the streets of Port Arthur and Fort William, Dad had arms of steel always taunting his children and grandchildren to "give 'em a squeeze." His family's involvement in skiing led him to meet a cute little Dutch girl whom he courted and soon figured it best to slip a ring on her finger. In 1962 he married Jantina Jacoba Van Lenthe and they began their journey through life with all it's ups, downs, twists and turns. This past December they celebrated 52 years of marriage.
Together they were blessed with three children Darin, Sherry and Shelley. The family unit was most important, and many ventures skiing, camping, hunting, fishing and jaunts through the mid-west USA attending Field Trials were attended together. Every endeavour he undertook he did with panache and a sense of pride to the best of his ability. Dad was a big guy and he lived large. If he liked you you knew it and if he didn't it was evident. That was a two-way street walked by many! He had a passion for motorcycles and rode a Bultaco in the early 60’s motocross scene. He traded in his Harley when things got serious with Tina. Terry also rode for a number of years with the Shrine Motor Patrol with whom he enjoyed travelling to different venues and competitions. His passion for two-wheeled adventure lives on through his son and grandchildren.
Dad loved his hunting and fishing as well as shooting trap and skeet. After re-loading and boxing shells he would re-load his pipe with amphora and enjoy a gentleman's puff! Mom and Dad raised a great number of Black Lab’s for hunting and trials. One of his prized retrievers went on to be a Canadian Field Trial Champion.
Skiing was part of the family DNA and every winter weekend was spent at the hill. Dad spent many hours volunteering in the timing shack for club, division and FIS races. He took on a second job to support his kids racing aspirations and spent many hours perfecting his waxing techniques and tuning skis for local racers. He was an accomplished skier himself and one of his greatest memories was a trip to Colorado with a bunch of crazy die-hards from Thunder Bay. One of Dad's greatest joys was seeing young athletes compete in sport. He took pride in all of his children's and grandchildren's accomplishments in sport, academics and life and cheered for local athletes in both summer and winter sports.
Whether it was coaching baseball, shits and giggles on CB radio (Wild Goose and Ducky), scuba diving, photography, cinematography, golf, curling, fishing trips, parties at Shebandowan, barbecues at the house, or family gatherings, he went BIG… or went home! Some mused that he didn't have a pot-to-piss-in or window to throw it out of... But they didn't understand his moral constitution... to TWG it was about living life... not talking about it!
A couple of heart attacks slowed him down, and at 56 Dad had a debilitating stroke caused by a cerebral brain hemorrhage. Coming out of his coma after 11 days he was never the same. Having beat the odds he worked hard to recover and he did ... much like anything else he undertook. God came knocking again when Dad was diagnosed with tongue cancer (could have been all the skoal he chewed at the hill, or perhaps the Sweet Caporal's and Amphora) but much like Job he persevered!
Having beat his cancer, Dad was unable to swallow solids and continued to dwindle to about half of his fighting weight. On top of all this he was later diagnosed with bullous pemphigoid, another debilitating condition which he fought straight on. He wasn't going to let that get in the way of a planned road trip to see his beloved Winnipeg Jets! He got to put on his cheese-head and cheer his team to victory, but much to his chagrin, this past season his Packer's failed to deliver, and he just missed #48 Jimmie Johnson wheeling in to victory.
As a family we want to recognize Dad's life-long friends Ed & Rita Hiebert in Red Deer AB, and Dave & Irene Engstrom in St. Catherine's for being an important part of his life. We want to thank Gary Gregor for his selfless helping hand during the years at Shebandowan. Many thanks to Dr. Noetzel, Dr. Anthes and Dr. Davis. To Rose for the respite provided to Mom and for the dignified care given to Dad. To Georgette, Elka and Jodi for their excellent nursing care, and to Linda for coordinating things behind the scene. To Dr.
John Malloy for his regular visits and time spent with Dad. To Rev. James Darrach (posthumously) and Archdeacon - Mark Conliffe (retired) for their Pastoral care. As a lifelong adherent of the Anglican Faith, Dad found peace and comfort in the Gospel, and truly experienced Christ's teaching of love and forgiveness both in the ability to give and to receive. Dad was a family man and loved his wife, children, grandchildren and his nieces, nephews, in-laws and out-laws (depending on where you stood).
Terrance William Guzzell was pre-deceased by his Father, Michael; Mother, Nellie; Sister, Gaye-Lynne and Grand Daughter Hannah Nicholas at birth. His Father-in-Law Hendrick VanLenthe and Mother-in-Law Gezina VanLenthe. He is survived by his wife Jantina, son - Darin William spouse Rita and children Meagan, Celeste, Paige, Bryce and Aidan; daughter - Sherry-Lynne spouse Kelly Patterson and children Dylan and MacKenzie, daughter Shelley Elizabeth Nicholas, daughter Alicia. Dad's nephews Thomas, Geoff and James Abthorpe had a special place in his heart. He is also survived by Tina’s siblings and spouses Anne & Ad VanVroenhoven, Hendrika & Hank Templeman, Hennie & Jim Wonder, Joanne & Mike Power, Jane & Gerry Abraham, Geraldine & Lee Holden, John VanLenthe & partner Cindy, Patricia & Fred Engelage as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Dad wanted more of an "I was here... now I'm gone!" kind of obituary. Over and above his wishes we wanted to celebrate who and how he was! Many thanks to those who lived, loved and laughed with him over the years. A private family gathering will take place at a later date. Should friends desire donations to Cancer Care Ontario or a charity of your choice are greatly appreciated.
God's love and peace!