John William Terence 'Terry' Mccluskey

McCLUSKEY, John William Terence Terry, BEng, BEd, BComm It is with great sadness that our family announces the passing of Terry McCluskey in the early morning hours of September 18, 2019 in Saint John, NB Regional Hospital from complications due to a hip fracture. Born in Edmundston, NB on July 4, 1936 Terry was raised on the family potato farm on McCluskey Road near Grand Falls, NB. He grew up as the beloved, eldest son and second child of eight of Thomas and Kathleen (O'Keefe) McCluskey. He often spoke fondly of being outnumbered by his wonderful sisters, to whom he was very close, especially Sharon who provided special support in later years. Terry attended UNB and graduated in 1961 with a BEng (Electrical) and BEd. He served in the Royal Canadian Navy's "University Naval Training Divisions" during his college summers. It was at the UNB Newman club that he met his wife to be, Mary Louise (Hughes). They were married in 1963 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Saint John, NB. Engineering was never his calling but teaching most certainly was. In 1965, he moved to Sydney, Cape Breton to work with others to open the Canadian Coast Guard College (CCGC). The CCGC became his life for 30 years and he fulfilled many roles: he taught maths, physics, electrotechnology and later became Head of the Maths and Sciences Department. Subsequently, he became the first Registrar at the CCGC, working closely with his right-hand aide, Lynda Casey. Fluently bilingual, Terry was known and loved by cadets, faculty and staff of all stripes for his down to earth teaching style, his love for socializing, his limitless song memory and his legendary homemade beer. His favourite haunt was the College's Chez Nous Mess where he shared many a beer with close friends Jim Kelly, Joe Murphy and David Parkes among many others. Conscious of his own academic struggles, Terry felt honoured to assist any cadet who asked. He was instrumental in the creation of the CCGC alumni association. He was a devoted Catholic who lived his faith on a daily basis. He was active in his parish of Our Lady of Fatima as a Minister of the Word and of the Eucharist and was a member of both the Knights of Columbus and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. A man of integrity, Terry brought laughter, humour and life to every room he entered. Kind and loyal, he was a forgiving man who saw the best in everyone. He loved marine history, science fiction and bridge. He loved the simple things: board games, homemade wine, whiskey, the fourth verse to any song and time in his garden - especially with his grandchildren. Terry will be remembered as a man who believed the cup was always half full, that a stranger was a friend he had yet to meet and a good joke was worth telling, and retelling. Ta da! Dearly loved by his four children, we remember his steadfast, constant presence in our lives, whether it was at athletic or academic events or in the quieter moments at home. He rejoiced in our triumphs and walked beside us in our failures. Diagnosed with a Parkinson’s-like disease in 2014, Terry relocated from Sydney, after 50 happy years there, to Saint John, NB to be closer to family. In his last five years he suffered from poor physical health but was always positive, refusing to complain though tested. It was his long-held desire to have his wake and funeral in his beloved, adopted home of Cape Breton. He is survived by his beloved wife of fifty-six years, Mary Lou, and four devoted children, Seumas, Kathleen (Vladimir) Mojeiko, Paddy (Alison) and Connell (Fiona); as well as seven grandchildren, Mattvei, Alexei, Abigail, Fiacra, Ailbhe, Megan, and Finn; by sisters, Colleen Daley, Joanne Glynn, Maureen LeBlanc, Sharon Eagan, and brother, Kevin. He was predeceased by older sister, Carmel Keoghan and brother, Shawn. To Terry’s friends we ask that you raise a glass of your favorite drink or his (Tullamore Dew). Instead of flowers, we ask that you do an act of kindness for someone, possibly a struggling student. Terry was firm in his opinion that giving kindness does as much good as receiving it. Visitation for Terry McCluskey will be held on Friday, October 11, 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel in Sydney, NS. Mass of Christian burial will be held at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Sydney River, CB, Saturday, October 12 at 11 a.m., interment at a later date.