Terry Owen, March 31, 1945 - Dec 24, 2008
Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother, Uncle, Friend ...
Devoted to all his friends and family
Devoted to all his friends and family
OUR DAD - Terry Owen
Dad was the youngest of a family of 5, with sisters Jo, Mary, Pauline and brother Michael. During his school years
he struggled academically but was good with his hands. From talking to him he seemed to have quite a tough and
at times unhappy childhood.
After leaving school he persevered in his job hunting and found a job with one of the areas best employers Lever
Bros Soap Manufacturers at Port Sunlight. As a young man his hobbies involved fishing, playing snooker and
occasionally going to wrestling matches. It was at one of these matches that he met our mum. It was obvious that
he had fallen head over heels in love as one night he forgot all sense of time whilst at Mums and missed the last
bus back, having to walk 6 miles home. He still came back the next morning to meet mum. After a two year
courtship our parents married in 1967, they scrimped, saved and worked hard to purchase their own home.
A family soon followed with Ann Marie born 1969, Karen born 1970 and Lisa born 1974. We had anything but a
tough childhood, our parents and grandparents made sure we wanted for nothing. The house filled with toys and
laughter, we had bicycles which dad taught us to ride. It cannot have been easy for dad being outnumbered by
females 4 to 1 but he was determined our childhood would be as happy and carefree as possible.
Often on Saturday, Dad would look after us whilst Mum was at work. We would call in to our great Grandmas and
he would chop wood, clean the grate and set a fire for her.
As us girls grew older we lead active lives and Dad was a wonderful chauffeur taking us to Brownies, Guides,
Rangers, Judo, Swimming, Life Saving, dancing and Youth Club. He was always there for us, morning, noon and
night and never grumbled.
It was with much relief that as we each turned 17 we couldn't wait to get our driving licences and soon dad didn't
have to worry too much about chauffeuring us as we would pinch the car!
Around this time we all joined the local Snooker Club "Breaks' which gave us a chance as a family to share dad's
passion for snooker and pool. He continued to enjoy playing pool and only just before this Christmas he finally
purchased a full size pool table, on which he hoped to teach Josh, Ben & Ethan to play.
As we all finished school and college it seemed like it was time for Dad to go back to school. He decided he
wanted to improve his literacy skills and enrolled for classes at Bebington Library. With the right tutor and
encouragement and perseverance he threw himself into his studies, surprising himself with his results.
As we reached adulthood we started to make our own lives, Karen moving to Canada in 1989, Ann Marie to
Shropshire in 1991. Karen's wedding in 95 was the first chance for all the family to see Canada first hand. Dad
for many years had the dream of moving abroad to Canada or Australia and he fell in love with Canada on his first
visit. Karen and Brad soon started a family with Josh born 96, Ben born 98 and finally Ethan born 2000.
With the chance of early retirement from his job after 33 years of service at Lever Bros, Mum and Dad decided to
take the big step of emigrating to Canada moving to Aurora in 2001. This gave a chance for them to have a fresh
start and an opportunity to share their lives with their grandchildren. Now being closer Dad was called upon many
times for baby sitting duties. He always enjoyed the chance to share time with Josh, Ben and Ethan. Karen and
family have now lost a great babysitter and animal sitter.
Soon after arriving in Canada Dad found a job working in the kitchen at the Purple Pig Restaurant, this was a
totally new environment for him, but he worked hard and soon settled into the job, making many new friends. Then
in 2004 Lisa emigrated to Canada moving in with Mum and Dad. Dad and Lisa would compete for the best garage
space, now the competition is over and Lisa finally has the remote control.
In Aurora Dad continued with his studies attending literacy classes where he went from strength to strength. Dad,
you know how immensely proud we were of your achievements and having your work published.
About three years ago Dad moved from the Purple Pig and found employment at Alutron where again he gained a
reputation as being helpful and hardworking, he discovered new friends and was always at hand to give people
lifts to work.
More recently he took care of mum during her illness stating that it was about time he returned the favour, looking
after Mum as she had looked after him through their married life.
Finally, to sum up our Dad, he was a very hard working, caring and considerate person, always putting his family
and others before himself, he will be dearly missed. We love you Dad.
Written and presented by Ann Marie McGuigan, Dec 30, 2008.
=======
Scripture Reading:
Galatians 5
13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve
one another in love.
14 The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
Dad was the youngest of a family of 5, with sisters Jo, Mary, Pauline and brother Michael. During his school years
he struggled academically but was good with his hands. From talking to him he seemed to have quite a tough and
at times unhappy childhood.
After leaving school he persevered in his job hunting and found a job with one of the areas best employers Lever
Bros Soap Manufacturers at Port Sunlight. As a young man his hobbies involved fishing, playing snooker and
occasionally going to wrestling matches. It was at one of these matches that he met our mum. It was obvious that
he had fallen head over heels in love as one night he forgot all sense of time whilst at Mums and missed the last
bus back, having to walk 6 miles home. He still came back the next morning to meet mum. After a two year
courtship our parents married in 1967, they scrimped, saved and worked hard to purchase their own home.
A family soon followed with Ann Marie born 1969, Karen born 1970 and Lisa born 1974. We had anything but a
tough childhood, our parents and grandparents made sure we wanted for nothing. The house filled with toys and
laughter, we had bicycles which dad taught us to ride. It cannot have been easy for dad being outnumbered by
females 4 to 1 but he was determined our childhood would be as happy and carefree as possible.
Often on Saturday, Dad would look after us whilst Mum was at work. We would call in to our great Grandmas and
he would chop wood, clean the grate and set a fire for her.
As us girls grew older we lead active lives and Dad was a wonderful chauffeur taking us to Brownies, Guides,
Rangers, Judo, Swimming, Life Saving, dancing and Youth Club. He was always there for us, morning, noon and
night and never grumbled.
It was with much relief that as we each turned 17 we couldn't wait to get our driving licences and soon dad didn't
have to worry too much about chauffeuring us as we would pinch the car!
Around this time we all joined the local Snooker Club "Breaks' which gave us a chance as a family to share dad's
passion for snooker and pool. He continued to enjoy playing pool and only just before this Christmas he finally
purchased a full size pool table, on which he hoped to teach Josh, Ben & Ethan to play.
As we all finished school and college it seemed like it was time for Dad to go back to school. He decided he
wanted to improve his literacy skills and enrolled for classes at Bebington Library. With the right tutor and
encouragement and perseverance he threw himself into his studies, surprising himself with his results.
As we reached adulthood we started to make our own lives, Karen moving to Canada in 1989, Ann Marie to
Shropshire in 1991. Karen's wedding in 95 was the first chance for all the family to see Canada first hand. Dad
for many years had the dream of moving abroad to Canada or Australia and he fell in love with Canada on his first
visit. Karen and Brad soon started a family with Josh born 96, Ben born 98 and finally Ethan born 2000.
With the chance of early retirement from his job after 33 years of service at Lever Bros, Mum and Dad decided to
take the big step of emigrating to Canada moving to Aurora in 2001. This gave a chance for them to have a fresh
start and an opportunity to share their lives with their grandchildren. Now being closer Dad was called upon many
times for baby sitting duties. He always enjoyed the chance to share time with Josh, Ben and Ethan. Karen and
family have now lost a great babysitter and animal sitter.
Soon after arriving in Canada Dad found a job working in the kitchen at the Purple Pig Restaurant, this was a
totally new environment for him, but he worked hard and soon settled into the job, making many new friends. Then
in 2004 Lisa emigrated to Canada moving in with Mum and Dad. Dad and Lisa would compete for the best garage
space, now the competition is over and Lisa finally has the remote control.
In Aurora Dad continued with his studies attending literacy classes where he went from strength to strength. Dad,
you know how immensely proud we were of your achievements and having your work published.
About three years ago Dad moved from the Purple Pig and found employment at Alutron where again he gained a
reputation as being helpful and hardworking, he discovered new friends and was always at hand to give people
lifts to work.
More recently he took care of mum during her illness stating that it was about time he returned the favour, looking
after Mum as she had looked after him through their married life.
Finally, to sum up our Dad, he was a very hard working, caring and considerate person, always putting his family
and others before himself, he will be dearly missed. We love you Dad.
Written and presented by Ann Marie McGuigan, Dec 30, 2008.
=======
Scripture Reading:
Galatians 5
13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve
one another in love.
14 The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
