terry was a good friend... i talked to him atleast a couple times a week, he always joke i knew when he was in the bathroom or going to eat cause it would never fail thats when i would call. i liked hearing from him when he was taking zues for a walk or playing darts at the pub. i'm very sorry for your lose christina and will miss terry like looseing a brother.
i always joked to him i was going to put a 455 4 speed in his old car but i think now i'll just keep it the way it was..
I've only dealt with Terry a few times over the years but instantly knew him as a good man who like many of us was passionate about our hobby. He was always willing to help a fellow enthusiast and he will be missed by all. Please accept my sincere condolences to you and your family Christina.
I traded parts with terry back and forth over the years, received several from him that he would not charge me for. Didn't talk as much as in years past, wish I would have stayed in contact more now. I always considered him a friend and will miss him.
Jerry Tallman 69 455/4sp Windward Blue, deluxe parchment bench seat, under major restoration je_tallman@yahoo.com
Wow.. I, like most of the people on this forum, spent time doing business with Terry, and yes, chatting away for hours about the birds, and trying to save them vs parting them out.
Terry had a real passion for restoring cars, and was always gracious in inviting people who would visit his fine state to swing by and visit him at his shop/business.
...My sincerest sympathy to Christina, and all of Terrys family, including those here that are also suffering from this loss.
Christina, I too am very sorry for your loss of Terry, and I was also a good friend of his...spoke often on the phone with him and as many have said , once you had Terry on the phone it usually became a long call, he liked talking Firebirds... I even recall one time as we were talking while he was rummaging thru his collection os stainless trim pieces in the attic, stuff he wouldnt sell( because they were scuffed), for a friend of mine that had one missing....
Our conversations became long.....but enjoyable.
again he will be sorely missed by most everyone here on the Forum
I was in disbelief yesterday about the whole thing but when it was confirmed it made me sad. Never met him but after several years on here joking around with him and holding up for him a time or two, it seemed like he was a very nice guy. Gone but not forgotten.
I have been holding off for a long time thinking this was just a bad joke. I'm really sorry for your loss. I did get the chance to talk to Terry a few times on the phone and they were not short conversations. He sure did like his Firebirds.
I suggest we dedicate the planned summer national FGF get-together in Terry's honor.
Christina - our prayers are with you.
I love this idea... If they give an award for the best car in the show, maybe whoever is organizing it would be open to calling it the "Ritter award for excellence". I would be open to helping with purchasing a cup style trophy for the winner. Maybe like the Stanley Cup it could be passed along each year. Maybe Terry could be awarded the trophy the first year even.
I suggest we dedicate the planned summer national FGF get-together in Terry's honor.
Christina - our prayers are with you.
I love this idea... If they give an award for the best car in the show, maybe whoever is organizing it would be open to calling it the "Ritter award for excellence". I would be open to helping with purchasing a cup style trophy for the winner. Maybe like the Stanley Cup it could be passed along each year. Maybe Terry could be awarded the trophy the first year even.
I contacted the group organizing the CanonBirdrun....they will do something...
Like so many others, I wanted to believe this was a prank of horrible proportions. Even knowing he wasn't doing well, I just did not want to believe it. I spent the day, trying to wrap my head around it.
Gladly, he spent the last couple years traveling and experiencing life. He played an important part in the FGF community, and his passion for the mark will continue to inspire us all. He will be missed.
My prayers go out to his family and close friends. Cruise on, Terry.
I just read the bad news. Unbelievable. Terry was one of the good ones. I, like PJ and most of us, have Terry's parts running around in my bird. It feels a bit like a transplanted organ now that he's gone. I'm glad to have called Terry my friend for all these years and I will sorely miss him. This is a very sad day indeed.
Chistina you have my heartfelt condolences and please pass them on to any other family Terry might have had.
That is sad. I will alway remember talking to Terry way to long on the phone. Terry liked to talk and I will miss him and the person that he was. I hope that he can feel the love that we all have for him right now..............
The gentleman whom purchased our Firebird had just ordered stuff from Terry last week. Although he doesn't know Terry as well as most of us, he feels really bad about this and was shocked like the rest of us...
Never had the pleasure to meet Terry, wish I had reading all the posts. He was always the first one to respond anytime I posted here. In honor of Terry, let's all try and get our cars out this weekend. Wow, another reminder of how short and precious our time here is.
1967 Firebird Convertible 1980 Firebird Formula Turbo
Christina, down the road, in the event you need help identifying parts etc. please do not hesitate to ask this group. I don't think anyone on this site would ever take advantage of your or Terry for that matter.
In fact, if you need help in the future I'd be willing to make the trip down there (I am only 4 hours north) to help identify parts etc. I would have no motive as I no longer own a Bird, but would do so knowing it would help you and in some way helping Terry as he has done for so many of us. I will PM you my name, address and phone number in the event you need anything at all.
the one thing i remember about terry besides the long talks on the phone, endless time consulting and advice he offered was he always joked. the joke he would always say the most is how we would be parted out after he was gone. dont think that will happen but i think he would enjoy knowing he help so many of us with our cars and know that we will continue to enjoy them now that he has passed. he was a great guy and will be sorely missed.
also i'm not trying to jump ahead of things but im with the others. if you need help with the cars or parts im sure we as a group could/would help you in any way we can CHRIS!! god bless and may he REST IN PEACE!!
Andy
due to budget cutbacks, the light at the end of the tunnel has been disconnected for non payment.
I'm stunned. I have not been on the site is a while. I talked to Terry on the phone many times about cars, guns, politics.... A great person to have known. I remember talking to him a while back, he had mentioned he was from the Central NY area. I asked him if he every needed anything to let me know. He paused for a second and said I really miss these hot dogs that can only be found in Rochester. So, I told him next time I was out that way I would get him some. I'm happy I was able to do that for him. Anytime I called him looking for a part he would find it for me. I will miss Terry, Rest In Peace. My condolences to his wife and family.
Must have been Sahlens hotdogs. I am from Buffalo and they are well known up there, by far the best you'll ever have. I did not realize Terry was from up that way, it never came up in our Bird conversations.
I only talked with him once over the phone, I just wish I would have had the time to get to know him better.. The few parts that I bought from him, that he touched, will be a memorable part of my car.... My condolences to his wife and family... Terry,, You Will Be Missed...
Just reading this thread now, very sad. I did get to do some business and talk to Terry on the phone last year. My condolences to his wife and family. Rest in peace Terry.
My condolences,Christina. I just got back from a 10 day vacation and couldn't believe what i was reading.I bought a few parts from Terry over the last few years,great guy! R.I.P.
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