Obituary of Terry Douglas Kuch

TERRY DOUGLAS KUCH

August 9, 1937- February 2, 2018

Terry was born in Stratford ON, the eldest child of Carl George and Mildred Emma(Ross) Kuch.  He grew up in Hespeler where his Dad owned Sunny View Dairy.  As a young school boy Terry helped with the horse drawn milk delivery in the area, and as a teen he worked in a shop repairing motorcycles, which of course lead to riding them to satisfy his need for speed.
In 1956 Terry joined the R.C.A.F. with his heart set on flying the F-86 Sabre.  He trained with other aspiring NATO pilots in Penhold, AB, Portage la Prairie, MB and Chatham NB.  Much to his delight he was selected for an F-86 posting with 444 Squadron (Cobra) in Baden-Soellingen, Germany. The pilots in this squadron have shared a life-long friendship, a love of flying and a biennial reunion to embellish their stories.  Soon after returning to Canada in 1960, Terry and Lenore were married and they spent Terry’s final service year stationed at Greenwood NS.
In 1961, Terry went into the hardware business with his father when they purchased Kawartha Hardware and Electric in Lakefield.   Terry quickly became known as a handyman so it seemed fitting when he bought into the Home Hardware franchise, introducing Kawartha Home Hardware to Lakefield. He was a well-known and respected village merchant, often lunching at the Commercial, until his retirement in 1989.  Terry and Lenore then retired to their lovely home on Kasshabog Lake, a home Terry built with help from many local tradesmen.  In 2016 they moved back to the village due to his declining health. 

Terry served on the Lakefield Committee of Adjustment, was a member of the Chamber of Commerce, taught Air Cadets, and served on the Volunteer fire department. He, along with a local group of avid floatplane enthusiasts enjoyed flying into remote blueberry picking spots, weekend camping at Bottle Lake, and giving airplane rides to young and old so they too could enjoy the beauty of the Kawartha Lakes from high above. His Super Cub was parked at the Kasshabog dock always ready to “slip the surly bonds of Earth and danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings” (John Magee)

Terry will be lovingly remembered by his wife and lifelong companion of 56 years, Lenore, and their two children, Ross Douglas and Valerie Lynn. His memory will remain in the hearts of his grandchildren, Tyler, Avery and Morgen and his siblings, Sharon (Bruce) Irvine, Brian (Lenore) Kuch, Wayne (d) (Linda) (d) as well as many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held in the Spring of 2018, where many stories will be shared…as Terry often said “no one has more fun than people”

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to THE HENDREN FUNERAL HOMES, LAKEFIELD CHAPEL, 66 QUEEN STREET. Memorial donations may be made to Salvation Army Peterborough or the charity of your choice. Friends may send condolences or make donations by visiting www.hendrenfuneralhome.com or by calling 705-652-3355.