May the peace which comes from the memories of love shared comfort you now and in the days ahead.
In
Memory of 
Terrance
(Terry) Fournier
1935-2010
PFLAG Supporter
and just a plain
Good Old Friend
I glanced at my watch. Like clock work, the church doors open at our PFLAG monthly meeting. It’s 3:15pm and the smiling faces of Joanne and Terry march up to the greeting table. If not vacationing in Mexico, or visiting his son in Maine, they always arrive just before the social half hour. My arms stretch out to get my huge warm hug from Terry, (affectionately known as Mr. Clean minus the earring). A hardy greeting of “good to see you” goes along with the hug. Joanne is always behind him and awaits her turn for the ritual. Joanne is very short, and only comes up to the middle of my chest. Always reminds me of hugging one of the grandchildren. Then from his pocket of his many Hawaiian shirts comes a perfectly folded check. “Here’s our donation to PFLAG. We missed last month, so there is extra.”, he would say. Joanne and Terry go back to the days, when we would “pass the collection bucket” to help pay for our expenses. When we felt we could survive on our membership dues, so we stopped the process. Joanne and Terry did not. There is always brief conversation on family and what is going on in our lives, before we all moved to set up the refreshment table. It took me years to figure out that Terry’s early arrival just to hear the speakers was really a ploy. He wanted to be the first to grab a couple of homemade brownies and slink in the corner to devour them. After the last visitors had gleaned over the refreshments, I could see Terry and Joanne talking with friends. He would normally position himself in a direct line of the table. That way he doesn’t have to turn his head around. I would just watch and wait. He would slowly move away from the conversation, and make his way back to the table. I would wait silently (which is difficult task for me) and as soon as I saw his arm reach for another brownie, I simply scream out “Joanne! He’s over his quota again! He halts, as she approaches, gives me a stare, and then runs off with one more.
Terry was a good man with admirable qualities and a great sense of humor to go along with them. Terry believed in justice with understanding. He loved people for themselves and could have a good laugh. He did however have very little time for people who lacked common sense. Dinner conversations with Terry were astounding. Terry was a walking Wikipedia (one you didn’t have to type into). There were very few things that Terry couldn’t add to the conversation that weren’t factual or interesting. The only time I can remember Terry not having an answer to something, was when we spoke of our children’s failure to see our viewpoint. “Yes, I know, but we love them anyway”, he would shake his head, and the rest of us would nod in agreement.
Terry fought hard against an infection, but passed away peacefully June 3, 2010 at age 75. Beloved husband of Jo Anne Kusudo for 13 years Survived also by daughters Darlene Dambacher (Kenneth), Susan Cera (Anthony) and Jeanne Fournier (Tracy Jesernig), all of Michigan, and son, Dr. Terrance K. Fournier (Joann) of Bangor, ME. Terrance is also survived by 5 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by grandson, Wesley Barocio.
Born in Detroit, Terry was a graduate of Grosse Pointe High School. He worked for General Motors as a pipefitter-plumber for 42 years at the Warren Technical Center. Besides his work, Terrance enjoyed nature, gardening and travel, and among his trips, was able to fulfill his dream of visiting Isle Royale for 3 consecutive years.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 25, 2010 at 11am;
Adragna/Obarzanek Funeral Home 33250 Ryan Road Sterling Heights, MI 48310 (just North of 14 Mile)
586-939-720 website: www.aofuneralhome.com
Cards and letters maybe sent to 3619 Byrd Dr Sterling Heights Mi 48310.
We will miss you, Terry.
