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Leonard James TERRA

Leonard TERRA Obituary

TERRA, Leonard James
Beloved and cherished husband, dad, grandpa, son, brother, and friend. Born on Sept. 16, 1939 in Sacramento. Died on Feb. 2, 2011 after living with a blood cancer since 2008. Preceded in death by his mother Silvia Terra. Survived by his wife and best friend, Pat Terra. Very proud father of Anne Terra of Tustin, Linda McKay (Scott) of Sacramento, and Steven Terra (Lisa) of Sacramento. Caring grandfather of Natalie and Lindsay McKay. Also survived by his father George Terra, brothers, Monsignor Russell Terra of Redding, and Donald Terra (Margret) of Sacramento.

Len attended Christian Brothers HS for 3 years and 1 year at the newly opened Bishop Armstrong HS in 1957 where he met the love of his life, Pat. Upon graduating he proposed marriage to her at ages 17 and 16, respectively. He graduated from the College of Pacific School of Pharmacy in Stockton in 1962 and they married in October of that year. He worked as a retail and hospital pharmacist for 9 years. His greatest career reward was working as a consulting pharmacist for the State of CA Medi-Cal drug benefit program for 21 years, becoming program policy pharmacist administrator for 9 years. With this responsibility, he was grateful for the opportunity to improve medication benefits for Medi-Cal recipients.

Len especially enjoyed his family, music, golf, dining out, and taking trips to Yosemite, Pacific Grove, Fort Bragg, and the Oregon Coast. His favorite trip activity was walking coastal beaches and bluffs with Pat. He had many blessings in his lifetime for which he was thankful. Similarly, his family is blessed to have enjoyed his deep love and devotion.

The family wishes to acknowledge the good care given to Len by the staff of the U.C. Davis Cancer Ctr. and especially the extraordinary efforts of Dr. Jeanna Welborn. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Len to Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, CARE, or Water.org would be appreciated.

Memorial Mass: Feb. 8th, 12:00 PM at Newman Center, 5900 Newman Ct. Reception to follow.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Sacramento Bee from Feb. 6 to Feb. 7, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Leonard TERRA

19 Entries

Alicia Teausant

February 2, 2019

I always felt such a warmth and peace from you when we came to your house to visit. I have such great memories of your get-togethers. Everytime I think of you, I picture a great marriage, and a loving and welcoming home. I appreciated your work ethic and passion for what you did in the pharmacy field. I still remember our talk about how you helped make care decisions for patients when creating the state's formulary. That spark of "It Matters What you Do" has helped shape my own medical career and continues my own passion for excellent work in the challenging medical realm even today -every day that I see a patient. Thanks for the presence you make in my own continued work legacy. We miss you Uncle Len!

March 4, 2011

Dear Pat, You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I remember so well when you two began going together--you didn't ride the bus anymore! It is obvious to all that you had a wonderful life together. May those memories sustain you in the days to come...Ora Lee

Veronica (Markham) and Henry Simpson

February 21, 2011

Dear Pat, I was so sorry and saddened to learn of your husband's passing.
May God's love and the love of family and friends give you strength.
You and your family are in our prayers.

Pat/Larry Andreuccetti

February 21, 2011

Dear Pat:

I just heard from Veronica that your husband passed away. I missed it somehow at the time it was posted in The Bee. From reading the Notice, I can see that you two had a wonderful, full life together and am sure there will be very lonely and memorable times for you. Keep sharing all the memories with your children and grandchildren--the memories are what keep us going.

May God hold you tightly,

Rachel Melia (Bell)

February 18, 2011

Pat and the Terra family,
We were very sorry to hear of Len's passing and of George's death today. Maybe we can take some comfort in knowing that father and son were so quickly reunited even though it is terribly hard on everyone left behind. Please know that all the Terras are in our thoughts and prayers.
- Rachel & Kevin

February 13, 2011

Linda, I was so sorry to read about the passing of your father. You and your family are in my prayers. Sandi Kirkey

Artie and Marilyn Berliner

February 12, 2011

Patty and the Terra Family,
Len and I spent our years in pharmacy school together and have many only fond memories. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time

Rebecca Fazilat

February 10, 2011

Pat,
Shahin and I were so saddened to hear of Len's passing. Remarkable that it was a year to the day that we lost our grandmother, his aunt. I always enjoyed so much seeing you both and getting to know you over the years. I hope you find peace and comfort knowing that he has found eternal happiness and rests with the angels in heaven. Love to you and the family. Rebecca Fazilat (Bell)

February 8, 2011

Dear Father Terra -- I was so very sorry to read about the passing of your brother Leonard. I remember him from so many years ago when he was a young man. May God Bless you and his family and loved ones. Ileane (Hoffart) Flanders-Hamlin

February 8, 2011

Pat and Family,

Sorry to hear of Len's passing.

Dale & Sarah (Taverna) Wagerman

Alicia Teausant

February 8, 2011

Len and Pat have been a wonderful example of a great marriage and family, always caring and welcoming in their home. Uncle Len was such a warm, beautiful soul and will be greatly missed. Aunt Pat and family, we wish you our deepest condolences.

Sandy & Darrell Ferreira

February 7, 2011

Pat, we are so sorry to hear of Len's death. He put up a valient battle for a very long time.
No matter how long a loved one has been ill, you are never prepared for the loss you feel and I ask God's blessings on you and your family during the weeks and months to come. God Bless you all,

Bob Silva

February 7, 2011

The last time I had breakfast with Len was shortly after his birthday. He told me at that time the doctor said he had no more than a year to live. He was still cheerful and stated that he had a great life and was prepared for whatever would happen.

While I had not seen Len in a long time, at our 50th reunion we agreed to play golf and had some fun doing it. We only played 9 holes each time, but we had fun and always managed to have a late breakfast or lunch each time. The last few times we only had breakfast or lunch and talked about old times and "old people" we knew.

Len was a great guy and was a deeply devoted family man. He loved talking about his family and I always asked who was doing what.

I will miss our occasional get togethers.

Sympathy to his wife, Pat, and the family. I wish we could be there on Feb 8, but my wife and I are taking care of our grandchildren in SoCal.

Kingmun Siu

February 7, 2011

I remember Len as the backbone of the Medi-Cal Policy Unit. He was the gentle voice on the other end of the phone when ever we need program information. He'd visit our San Francisco office on a regular basis to evaluate our work. It was also good to see him on my occasional trip the Headquarters. He was a good man. I will always remember Len.

Barry Solomon

February 7, 2011

I would like to add my name to others who have noted how valuable Len was to family, friends, co-workers and to those residing in the State of California.
He certainly will be missed.

Arlen DiBartolo

February 7, 2011

Pat, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. May God bless you and your families in an effort to get through this difficult period.

Vic Walker

February 7, 2011

Len, we will miss you. You made the Medi-Cal pharmacy program what it is today, a force for good for California's needy. You were a good boss, and a good friend. God bless you and your family.

February 7, 2011

Dear Pat & entire family of Len Terra,
We are so sorry to hear of Len's passing. What a wonderful and sincere fellow he has always been. As we reflect back over the years, and It has been so many since we all first met during our youth at St. Francis High, Christian Brothers High, Bishop Armstrong High, Newman Club, and beyond, we can bear witness to the wonderful love and respect for each other, for your fellow man, and for life itself, that was always so apparent with you and Len both individually and as a couple. I can still remember you two dancing together, Pat, at our Bishop Armstrong dances - a shining, handsome couple in love. Throughout our lives, we have always appreciated seeing the two of you in this light.
We realize how difficult this final illness has been for Len, for you, and for all your loved ones. Today our prayers are with you, and we sincerely want you to know how priviledged we feel we have been to know the Terra family,such genuinely good people. God blesses.
Ed Slavich & Diane Day Slavich

February 6, 2011

Pat and family. Karen and I and Bob Gatiss and Pat and Carole McIntosh are all in Mazatlan and we send our prayers and thoughts to you. Len was an absolute gentleman and we know you will miss him. Please let your faith, your family and your friends surround you during this time.

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