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In Celebration of
Terrance “Terry” Michael Maccagno
June 9, 1962 –
August 25, 2024
It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Terrence “Terry” Michael Maccagno. Terry was only 62 years old when he left us on August 25, 2024, in Lac la Biche, Alberta.
Terry was born in Edmonton on June 9, 1962, to Tom and Annette. He was the elder brother of Morris, Michelle, and Marc. He died where he spent his childhood summers, at the family cabin in Lac la Biche. Like his father Tom, who predeceased him in 2012, Terry loved swimming, canoeing and water-skiing in the lake, fishing, and capturing the beauty of nature through the lens of his camera.
Terry was a brilliant student, graduating as a metallurgical engineer from the University of Alberta in 1984 with a gold medal. He received the Edmonton Churchill Scholarship and several other awards to complete a PhD at Cambridge University. It was there that he met Aparna Sundar, who would become his beloved wife. After receiving his doctorate in 1988, he returned to Canada to take up a position with the National Research Council in Ottawa. He moved to the Department of Mining and Metallurgical Sciences at McGill University when Aparna came to McGill to do her master’s, and lived in Montreal for several years. In 1997, he moved to the University of Alberta to become an Assistant Professor of Materials Engineering and NSERC / TCPL Junior Industrial Research Chair in Pipeline Materials. It was there that he decided he did not enjoy the stressful and competitive nature of academia and transitioned into his new career in IT infrastructure. In 1998, he joined Compugen Systems Inc, and remained with them until his death.
Terry and Aparna were married in May 2000 in Toronto. Their daughter Rosa was born in 2001 and their son Ilan in 2005. Terry lived in Toronto for the rest of his life, except for the two years the family spent in Bangalore, India, where he worked with Tata Consultancy Services. Those were memorable years – spending time with Aparna’s parents and relatives, travelling to the Himalayas and the coasts, car trips to the hills, forests, and historic sites in the south, bird watching in Bangalore’s parks and lakes, and making new friends.
In Toronto, Terry was a steady part of a close group of friends, taking interest in his friends’ children along with his own. He enjoyed his neighbourhood of Parkdale-High Park, where he could go walking or cycling in the park or along the lake. In the last few years, he loved to be out with his canoe, on the Humber River or exploring shorelines along the lake. From March 2020 on, he worked entirely from home, and became the most reliable companion to the family’s cat Kaju, who is still waiting for him to return. He read widely and kept up the appreciation for good films developed at Cambridge. He had an excellent memory and could hold a conversation on all kinds of things, from science, history and politics, to films, but was always happiest listening when others spoke. Terry was a wonderful father, husband, son, brother, son- and brother-in-law, and friend. He was a kind man and was never judgmental or critical of others. He was always even tempered and sweet. His warmth and generosity were remarked upon by all whose paths crossed his. He had a great sense of humour and fun, and an equally strong work ethic and sense of responsibility. We are so grateful that the last weeks of his life were spent travelling with his kids and enjoying time on the water.
Terry did not enjoy being the centre of attention and never wanted big celebrations for himself, even for landmark birthdays. But we who love him, and there are many of us, want to celebrate his life and what he meant for us.
Please join us for a celebration of Terry’s life:
Thursday, September 5, 2024
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Roncesvalles United Church
240 Roncesvalles Avenue
Toronto, ON M6R 1L3
The Zoom information for livestreaming will be shared shortly.
For more information, contact: rosa.nalini2627@yahoo.com / sgururani@gmail.com
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June 9 1962
August 25 2024
turner & porter funeral directors
Death notice for the town of: Toronto, Province: Ontario
death notice Terrance Terry Michael Maccagno June 9 1962
August 25 2024
obituaries notice Terrance Terry Michael Maccagno June 9 1962
August 25 2024
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Terrance Terry Michael Maccagno June 9 1962
August 25 2024 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
Toronto will for sure not be the same without Terry. My friendship with Terry and Aparna goes back to when they both were at McGill University and I have some lovely memories from back then, from Terry explaining about the fundamentals of physics to me (who was not from a science background) to sitting down at the computer in his department and learning all about Netscape. He was one of the gentlest humans I knew, very helpful, kind and extremely knowledgeable about many subjects with no streak of academic arrogance in him. I remember when the entire family lived in India for two years, they toured so many placed from North to South. Indeed, he walked into a changed environment so easily because of which many of us enjoyed his company. He was also a good friend to both Rosa and Ilan, and Terry and Aparna were a beautiful two-some, but looks like God had other plans…They say, and so rightly, that we don’t take anything with us and what we leave behind is only memories, and Terry, you have left us some superb memories to reflect on while you were on Earth. I can picture your hearty laugh which lit up your face so vividly. May God give strength to the entire family to get through this moment. Usha