Terry Chaffe

CHAFFE, TERRY A lucky life 1939-2025 Terry was a St. Catharines boy raised by Jack and Christine with his younger brother, David. The first in their blue collar family to do so, he went off to Western to become a history teacher. His first job was in Brantford. Since learning to cook hadn't been on his agenda - and it never was - he often showed up at the 'Y' dining room where Sue, a fellow teacher, was living. At the table the conversation flowed. Over beer at a nearby pub a plan formed; "Let's take a break for an adventure!" For 13 months they worked in London and drifted around on the "Europe on $5 a Day" plan; it was the '60s... The relationship blossomed and survived - for sixty years. Finally ready for real life, the couple came home to Port Credit S.S., where Terry had been hired. Sue was stunned. "That's my old high school!" Some of her teachers were still there! Fourteen years later so was Terry, now a dedicated and popular vice-principal. The family, which in 1968 included year old Michael, found a modest bungalow under the trees in Lorne Park. From then on it was all about additions. Two more sons arrived, Kevin in 1969 and Matthew in 1973. Brother David countered with three daughters - Penny, Melanie and Erin. Four more rooms sprouted. Terry and Sue learned new trades. Terry was stronger than he looked; outside he manoeuvred huge flagstones into an attractive patio, dragged massive boulders around the newly created garden, and hammered together a complicated deck of his own design. There was even a bit of plumbing. He was never allowed near Sue's plantings, but he could build wooden structures and cut the grass. He delighted in digging up dandelions. He taught Night School and Summer School, received his M. Ed. degree and took the Principal's Course. In his spare time, it was hockey coaching, squash, curling, golf, the Jays, the Leafs, and lots of reading. Sue ran their social life. "What are we doing this weekend?" he would ask. It was always something; they were blessed with a loyal and entertaining bunch of friends and a congenial set of neighbours. Parties and gatherings of all sorts over the years; they had fun. Teachers theoretically have summers off. With some trepidation, Sue took her city guy to the beloved but seriously primitive family island on Georgian Bay. No electricity back then; unfazed, Terry embraced cottage life. He managed to avoid the lurking reefs while exploring nearby islands in the outboard "Beast"; spent hours on the veranda with his paper and a scotch, and even learned to sail a bit. Meanwhile, his career blossomed. Completely dedicated to his students, he took on serious extra-curricular duties; his ultimate goal was to have his own school. After vice-principal stints at Port Credit and Glenforest S.S. (where he cast off the first of his three skirmishes with cancer), he found himself Principal of Britannia S.S. For four years, he enjoyed those non-academic kids and celebrated their successes. In September 1989, it was on to Thomas L. Kennedy S.S. for eight years - a large, complicated, multicultural school. He loved the place. In the words of his head secretary; "He arrived just after 7, worked straight through until after 5 and always took more work home." There was the Ken Dryden year, 1994. The famous goalie wanted to spend quality time in a school for his in depth look at education. He looked around and decided that Terry was a fit; a thoughtful guy with integrity who was doing a good job. Along the way, there was a Leaf game in the Golds, sitting with former players. He was enthralled. Since he never brought his school life home, Sue learned a lot about his working days reading Ken's book "In School." In 1997, when he retired, students were actually upset! Did I say "retired"? Why not become a CFP and build a decade long second career? Why not spend a year as President of the Rotary Club of Mississauga? Sporting activity of all kinds required regular fitness sessions. For decades, about twice a year, Sue would suggest a destination somewhere in the world. Unlike some husbands, Terry would start packing, not well, but with enthusiasm. There is a whole shelf of photo albums; the trips were always a huge pleasure. Their family life has been blessed. The three sons have successful careers and wonderful partners. Michael and Leslie have a pair of spectacular grown daughters, Nariko and Akiko; Kevin and Fiona share Felix, a delightful teenager; Matthew and Adrienne are parents to two magnificent sons, Carter and Erik. They are all interesting and confident people. Unexpectedly, by late 2020, Terry was beginning his dementia journey. He remarked, "I always thought it would be cancer that would get me". By May 2022, they had left their home after 54 years for a condo at Parkland on the Glen, this time living above the trees. By January 2023, Terry was at Silverthorn LTC just up the road, where Sue was able to spend daily quality time with him for nearly three years. He died there on September 25th, at 86. Sue is deeply grateful to the Silverthorn staff for their kindness, patience and good humour. She will dearly miss Sheffali, Lucy, Janelle, Louella, Adele, Lala, Vianca and many others. We also thank Toronto Rehabilitation Hospital for their successful interventions. There will be no service. The family will celebrate his life privately. If you wish, memorial donations to The Compass Food Bank or The Alzheimer's Society would be lovely.