MONK, Terry William - March 30, 2012

TERRY WILLIAM MONK Born in Erith, England on February 22, 1936, died in Oakville, Ontario on March 30, 2012.

Terry completed a 5 year apprenticeship in Carpentry at the City & Guilds of London Institute, with teaching capabilities. Adventure beckoned however, and he immigrated to Canada in 1956. He worked as a prospector in Utah and the Arctic, and from this came the realization that aviation was his goal. Lessons followed at Toronto Island Airport, and in turn 7 years at Austin Airways. In 1965, a long and rewarding career at Air Canada began.

Terry was predeceased by parents Ivy and William. He is survived by wife Vesta, sons Reid and Neil, grandchildren Louise and Rowan, sisters Jean and Jackie, nieces and nephews David, Kathryn, Darren, Lauren, Reg, Kelly, Jane, Spencer and Nathan, as well as grand-nieces and nephews Christian, Erin, Karen, Evan, Josh, Jacob, Christine, Eric, Matthew, Hannah, Claire, Davis, Mitchell, Jack, Anna and Kate.

Terry built the family cottage on Star Lake, and the handmade powerboat to go with it. An avid sportsman, he was an accomplished rower and cyclist in England, thinking little of a 60 mile round trip to the coast on a Sunday. In Canada, he loved squash, tennis, diving, skiing, judo, golf, and satisfied a life long quest for rock climbing and mountaineering.

After a serious fracture while horseback riding he quit the pursuit forever, claiming "Horses are dangerous at both ends and tricky in the middle". His sense of humour was legend: he laughed so heartily at his own jokes that all else present were sure to follow. He had a multitude of hobbies: cooking, painting, photography, music, gardening, programming, maths, astronomy, motorcycles and sports cars, the latter adorned with his beloved Mr. "SPOCK" license plate. Nothing by half measures.

Unable to enjoy the benefit of good health in his later years, his family now wishes him new heights, as he soars, unfettered, through the galaxies.

Honourary Pallbearers are Douglas Dickson, Brain Hoyle, Ken Reppen, Bob Lavallin, Don Corker and John Monk.

A Service of Remembrance will be held at the Kopriva Taylor Community Funeral Home, 64 Lakeshore Road West, (one block east of Kerr, 905-844-2600), Oakville on Thursday, April 5, 2012 at 12 noon with a reception to follow.

Email condolences may be made through www.koprivataylor.com In lieu of flowers a donation to your cause of choice is requested.