Terrence M. Dunn

Terrence M. Dunn obituary, Pelham Manor, NY

Terrence M. Dunn

Terrence Dunn Obituary

Visit the Pelham Funeral Home website to view the full obituary.
Terrence M. Dunn, a resident of Pelham Manor for 24 years, died unexpectedly in his sleep on Monday, January 18, 2021. He was 63 years old. Terry was born in New York City on February 20, 1957 to Frank and Eileen Dunn. He grew up in Mountain Lakes, New Jersey. He graduated from Brown University and the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Terry was a well-respected lawyer and a founding partner of the law firm Einbinder and Dunn. He was an active member of the ABA Forum on Franchising. Terry had many interests. He was a voracious reader. He loved music, travel and writing. He wrote a self-published novel, Out Beyond the Verrazano, and was close to finishing two more. He maintained an active blog where he posted a multitude of thoughtful and heartfelt reflections. His kindness and creativity touched all who knew him. He enjoyed skiing, particularly with his children, and basketball. He was an avid runner who was proud to have completed several half-marathons and was frequently seen running through the streets of Pelham. Terry had a wide circle of friends from every part of his life, including Mountain Lakes, Vienna, Denver, Brooklyn, Pelham, basketball teams, writing groups and his professional life. He deeply valued them all. He loved children and dogs, and found great contentment on long walks with his beloved Shar-peis. Terry especially enjoyed spending time in Barnegat Light on Long Beach Island. Terry cherished his family, most especially his children, Thomas and Olivia. They were his best friends, and he theirs. When they were younger, he took great joy in coaching their soccer and basketball teams. He loved knowing and talking to their friends. Terry will always be remembered as a kind man with a ready smile who was a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend. In addition to Tom and Olivia, Terry is survived by his wife of 31 years, Elizabeth Emmons; his brother David Dunn and his wife Carol and their children, Collin and Madeline;as well as a large extended family and in-laws. A memorial service for Terry will be held at a future date when it is safe to gather in person. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Blinknow Foundation, P.O. Box 453, Mendham, N.J. 07945, www.blinknow.org, or to Shar-pei Rescue of Virginia, P.O. Box 968, Barnegat Light, N.J. 08006, www.sharpeirescueofva.org.

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

Pelham Funeral Home

64 Lincoln Avenue, Pelham, NY 10803

Sign Terrence Dunn's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

April 30, 2021

Dag Hellandsjo posted to the memorial.

April 5, 2021

Kathy Martin posted to the memorial.

March 24, 2021

Joni Cordy posted to the memorial.

Dag Hellandsjo

April 30, 2021

Terry and I were friends in Mountain Lakes, NJ - enduring teenage angst together. "Bay" was a good soul. High School for us was an adventure...no boundaries. He was smart, yet did not advertise it. Funny, we never really had much success with girls at the time, but we made it up in so MANY creative ways. As Terry and I parted ways - he migrated to Brown and I ended up in Ann Arbor, hey, very different places, yet we managed to keep in touch by pen. Although I have not communicated with Terry in many years, I feel very sad in learning of his passing. May he rest in peace.

Kathy Martin

April 5, 2021

Elizabeth, Tom, and Olivia- I am so sad to hear the news of Terry's passing. My daughter, Addison, played soccer with Olivia for years and I was lucky enough to work as team manager while Terry was coaching. He was a patient, kind, witty, gentle, sincere, and always thinking of others. He was one of best coaches ever, his highest priority being what was best for all the girls on the team. I will always remember him fondly, and the world will miss his kind spirit. Our family's deepest condolences to you all.

Joni Cordy

March 24, 2021

Elizabeth, I met you and your husband Terry, when you came to visit Margaret and Cory on their porch. I was a neighbor. I was on this site and happened to see of his passing. I just wanted to give you my sincere condolences to you and your children. What a terrible tragedy, I am so sorry. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Catherine Lyness

March 15, 2021

I have just learned this awful news. Terry was the most lovely person and the world is a colder place without him in it. The tributes I am reading here really capture his special qualities - his gentleness, his wonderful humor, his unselfishness. One friend writes that he didn't have a mean bone in his body and that is the truth!

Terry and I were very close friends in the early 80's when we were both in NYC working at our first mundane jobs out of college and we had so many marvelous adventures and so much laughter! In the last decade or so, we reconnected and I so enjoyed reading his wonderful book and his blog, and having the occasional long lunch when we would reminisce about our crazy youth and chat about our current lives. There was nobody easier to talk to. Terry's love for his family was always first and foremost: he adored Tom and Olivia and was so proud of each of them.

Terry was a talented lawyer but that never defined him. It was books, writing, basketball, musing about the world, walking with his dogs and, most of all, his family and his friends that made life meaningful for him. He was a gentle soul, a thinker and a wonderful friend. I loved him and will never forget him. My most sincere condolences to Elizabeth, to Oliva and Tom, and to David and Carol, about whom he always spoke most lovingly. This must be hard to bear.

Aruna, Prem Pungaliya

February 4, 2021

Very sorry to hear this sudden news. While we never met, I had known about him as a neighbour his parents in Mountain Lakes NJ. Both Terry and Eileen will remain in our memories. Our family prays for Terry and his peaceful passage.
-- Prem, Aruna Pungaliya and children Pooja, Darshan and Sakshee.
Neighbors 241 Morris Ave. Mountain Lakes NJ

Jack Murray

January 30, 2021

I was privileged to play basketball with Terry for more than a decade. Although better than most of us, he was unfailingly generous in sharing the ball, uncomplaining about cheap fouls against him. These may seem small things. But it's often the small things that reveal larger character: his decency, his empathy, his unselfishness. There was never a five-some that didn't want Terry on their team.

Margarethe Laurenzi

January 30, 2021

We were stunned to learn of Terry's untimely passing. Just a little more than two weeks ago, we were standing in Eileen's driveway, sharing a few nice memories. He was a gentle person, and a beautiful writer, and I was so glad to know him in recent years. May your fond memories help carry you through this immensely sad time. Sending peace to all who loved Terry.

Alec Cecil

January 28, 2021

My sincere condolences to Terry's family. His loss is so very sad. We had many head to head battles on the basketball court and, although stronger than I, he was always a gentleman. I also enjoyed running into him walking our dogs in the neighborhood. He will indeed be missed by many.

Jim Humes

January 27, 2021

What a heartbreaking loss of a wonderful guy. It was a blessing it was to have him as a friend. He made my life, and the lives of those around him, better through his kindness, generosity of spirit, empathy, patience, and sense of humor. There wasn't a mean bone in his body. I'll miss him, and my heart is, and will remain, with his family through this trying, incomprehensible time.

Becky Barbieri

January 27, 2021

Terry and Elizabeth were some of my first friends in Pelham. I loved running into Terry -- whether that be on the street as he walked the dogs, running into him as he trained for a half marathon, catching up with him at the NYAC, or running into him on the way to Metro-North platform. I always loved hearing how proud he was of his kids the true definition of a doting father. Terry always made people feel understood, respected and listened to and I am forever grateful to have had him as a neighbor and friend. Elizabeth and family, we offer our unconditional support and deepest condolences to you all.

Kevin Cullen

January 25, 2021

Very sorry to hear of Terry's passing. I got to know Terry playing basketball in Pelham and always admired his contemplative outlook, his curiosity, his focus on family and friends as well as his calm, positive outlook. He also had a pretty good baseline move that was hard to defend against, much to my chagrin during those Sunday morning pickup games back in the day.

Maryann Hedaa

January 25, 2021

Words cannot describe the heartfelt loss of Terry. He was truly a "good and kind" man, just like his father. Elizabeth, Tom and Olivia will always be surrounded by Terry's extended Irish family with ongoing love, support and deep caring. Terry is still in the "Heart of our Hearts". Maryann Hedaa, January 24, 2021

Dave Mallach

January 23, 2021

Terry was my best friend, for 40 years. In recent decades we would meet for an unhurried coffee twice a month. During these times we spoke mostly about just two things - books and parenting. Honestly, heading downtown to meet him each time felt exciting. Heading back uptown I always felt .... lighter.

During the pandemic's isolation I found myself continuing these conversations with Terry, entirely in my head. Today the thought that I'll continue our talk for the rest of my life is the only comfort I can find.

I could be my most genuine self with Terry. He will be with me always.

Jo Buyske

January 24, 2021

Oh no! I am so very very sad to hear this. I knew David in high school and mistakenly friended Terry on social media years ago...since then I have come to value his insights and short, elegant thought posts, his photography, and his love of his family. I feel bereft without ever having met him. I can only imagine how those of you who love and know him feel. Please know that he touched a stranger, and I will remember him always.

Richard Symonds-Tayler

January 24, 2021

Rest in peace, Terry, my friend, my dear cousin's husband, my one-time host as I couch-surfed with you and Elizabeth in Brooklyn on a Thanksgiving trip across the pond to visit the family in the early 90s. I value the chats that we have had over the years and also value reading your book, as it gave an indirect view to your heart.

Elizabeth, Thomas, Olivia, and the rest of the family: my heart goes out to you. How could any words of mine possibly ease the rawness of your grief, your loss, your shock? So I pray; may God's peace and blessing and comfort come to you all.

Richard and Alison

Susan McLaughlin

January 23, 2021

I was just starting to get to know Terry - my husband and I had a really fun day kayaking with Terry and Elizabeth this summer, and Terry and Elizabeth and the pups joined me for a walk in Central Park, complete with hot chocolate, a couple of weeks ago. He was a great guy, and I wish I had had more time to get to know him. He is gone far too soon. Elizabeth, Tom and Olivia, my heart goes out to you with my deepest condolences.

Showing 1 - 16 of 16 results

Make a Donation
in Terrence Dunn's name

How to support Terrence's loved ones
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Poems of Mourning and Comfort

The best poems for funerals, memorial services, and cards.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief

Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
Ways to honor Terrence Dunn's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more

Sign Terrence Dunn's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

April 30, 2021

Dag Hellandsjo posted to the memorial.

April 5, 2021

Kathy Martin posted to the memorial.

March 24, 2021

Joni Cordy posted to the memorial.