Terence H. "Terry" McCartney

Terry (Terence Harry) McCartney died peacefully on June 23rd at St. Joseph's Villa in Dundas, Ontario. The death certificate says complications due to Parkinson's Disease but we believe he died as he lived-stubborn, in control, and on his own terms-with the conviction that he could do anything he set his mind to better and more efficiently than anyone else on earth, including dying.

Preceded in death by his parents, Harry McCartney and Mary McCartney, and his nan Jessie Warren, as well as his wife Rebecca (nee Hantelman) he is survived by his favourite daughter Jennifer and son-in-law Alex Palmer of Brooklyn, NY; his beloved stepmother Doreen of Isle of Man; his dear little sister, Norma Tootell (Hugh) of Wells, Somerset; sister-in-law Susan Harvey of Jersey; brother-in-law Glen Hantelman of Oregon; and his cherished nephews and nieces Chris, Matt (Amber), Amanda, and Christine, as well as his grandnephews and nieces Evie, Sidney, and Luna. He leaves behind dear family in California and Isle of Man. He was comforted in his final days by his lifelong friend Fernando and by Mara who he considered a second daughter.

Born May 11, 1946 in Hulme, Manchester, England he was a proud Mancunian and Man City fan. As a lad he lived in Stretford, Whalley Range and Chorlton-Cum-Hardy before moving to Kingston, Jamaica as a VSO worker. It was here he met Rebecca, a librarian from Iowa who owned a red bikini. After marrying in Longmont, Colorado, they eventually settled in Ancaster, Ontario which would be their home for more than 30 years. As a lab technician, he worked at a number of hospitals including Stepping Hill, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Kingston Public Hospital, Kitchener-Waterloo, the Henderson, Joseph Brant, and Welland County General. He was a member of the CLMA, Toastmasters, the Rotary Club of Ancaster, and Ryerson United Church as well as Marshall Memorial. In his later years he was a member of Hamilton City Ballet's Dance for Parkinson's and Hamilton Parkinson's Chorus. In 2010 he had elective(!) brain surgery at Toronto Western Hospital to control his PD symptoms. He was a certified scuba diver and self-taught handyman who could build, rewire, or repair anything: bunk beds, bookshelves, and car engines. He cooked a lamb roast at Christmas and softly boiled eggs with toast soldiers for breakfast. He knew how to canoe and enjoyed trips down the Mattawa River, around Algonquin Park, and Lady Evelyn Smoothwater Park with his friends.

When he wasn't travelling to places as varied as Coney Island, Normandy, and Carnoustie, he may have held the door open for you at the Gate of India or the Brassie Pub-or any one of his favourite Hamilton spots. In long term care, he was a vociferous advocate of his rights (including the right to eat ice cream whenever he wanted). Terry was cremated with a mini Toblerone in his hand and, (like his father before him), a Kit Kat in his pocket. He was a very kind man and a good listener. We will all miss him very much.

A celebration of life will follow this fall in Ancaster, followed by interment in Minnesota, and a party in Manchester. Donations to the Michael J. Fox Foundation or Wesely Urban Ministries.