Terence William Cotter

Terry was born in Vancouver, B.C., on April 8, 1932 to Mr William Henry Cotter and Mrs. Doris Gale (n. Willcox). He was the second of 5 brothers in the Vancouver Cotter family. He is predeceased by his oldest brother Alex, and younger brothers Roger, and Wayne. Younger brother Barrie lives in Tsawwassen and he has been a cherished brother, and a supportive best friend throughout their lives.

Terry was married for 65 years. His wife Barbara G. M. Cotter (n. Clifton) predeceased him only 15-months earlier, in 2021. Terry is survived by his sons Terence R. Cotter and wife Susan, and Mark E. Cotter and wife Janice. He is also survived by his loving grandchildren Megan, Brandon (wife Nattie), Lauren (husband Dominik), and Riley, and by his great-grandchildren Griffin, Niklas, Gibson, and Ellie.

Terry was raised as a child in the 33rd and Oak area of Vancouver during pre-war and war years. In their senior high school years, he and his older brother Alex were enrolled in St. Michaels Dormitory School for boys on Vancouver Island. Those years were a very formative time in his upbringing and his accomplishments in rugby, gymnastics, and archery became family lore. Drumming for the school cadet band, much less so.

In 1955 he married Barbara and moved to a new home in the Brentwood area of Burnaby and two years later had their first child. Barbara completed her training to become an elementary school teacher before children. She taught for over a year before deciding her family contribution would be more valuable spent raising her boys at home. She was right.

Terry was employed at the offices of Dominion Bridge Steel Company and in 1962 he completed his professional certification with the Canadian Association of Purchasing Agents. He knew friends who died in the 1958 Ironworks Memorial bridge collapse, a project Dominion was building.

Terry was very gregarious and could mix well socially with people from all walks of life and intellect. This was a characteristic carried down from decades of Cotter clan gatherings of aunts, uncles, friends, brothers, and cousins at the Shaughnessy house.

His life partner Barbara was also very socially active, and they effortlessly created a very strong network of friends that were like a rich extended family throughout their lives. Their passion for entertaining friends in their home, and for laughter, was a central feature of life together.

After ‘The Bridge’ closed, Terry worked at Turnbull and Gale Construction as a purchasing agent, and later as a House Insurance agent for best friends Peter and Sylvia MacDonald at their business on Victoria Drive. Terry believed in dedication to meeting personal responsibilities with hard work, was a lifelong learner, always loyal to both friends and family, and was engaged with the world around him.

Without fail, you could rely upon Terry to be there. He was a source of help, straight advice, and simple moral support. He was a very rare person and a rare friend, as they both were. They will be very missed, but they will also be celebrated for generations to come.