Obituary: Terhaar, Jay Dennis
Age 84
TERHAAR,
Jay Dennis
April 10, 1927 -
February 23, 2013
Born in Spokane on April 10, 1927 to John and Gertrude Terhaar.
Jay grew up in the Hangman Valley area with his parents and seven brothers and sisters.
Growing up Jay was known as the “marble champion of Hangman Creek”.
Jay attended Gonzaga Prep High School and left high school to join the U. S. Navy in 1945.
After serving his country he returned to Spokane, completed his high school education, and started his career installing elevators with Otis Elevator Company in 1951.
He worked for Otis for 36 years retiring in 1987 due to the health issues.
He was dedicated to his job and enjoyed his years working for Otis even though his job took him away from his home and family at times.
He was proud of the work he did all over the Pacific Northwest.
Jay also enjoyed many years of hunting and fishing (and storytelling) with his childhood and lifelong friend Joe Tanaka.
Jay met Maxine Brueback and married the love of his life on May 29, 1954 and together they raised two sons, Patrick and Michael.
Jay most enjoyed the time that he spent at Deer Lake.
During his working years the family spent summers at their mobile home at Wanikiwin resort.
There he spent time with his friends and family fishing, swimming, relaxing in the sun and just “hanging out”.
One of Jay’s greatest claims to fame is that he could build or fix anything.
Prior to his retirement, Jay had the opportunity to tackle his most rewarding project as he built his retirement home at Deer Lake in 1975.
That was the place he most loved to be.
After retirement, Jay and Maxine sold their home in Spokane and became “snow birds”, spending the spring and summer months at their home at Deer Lake and the winter months in Apache Junction, Arizona.
There they made many great friends and enjoyed the warm weather and trips to different places in the southwest.
Dad loved the time he spent in Arizona, riding his bike, playing cards with friends and attending as many spring training baseball games as he could get in.
He was a devoted Mariners fan.
In the later years of his life, due to health issues, Jay and Maxine sold their home at Deer Lake and their place in Arizona and moved back to Spokane, where they purchased a condo in Brown’s Addition.
There Jay could sit on the deck and overlook the Hangman Valley and the neighborhood where he grow up and enjoyed his childhood.
Dad was back home there.
Due to complications from his diabetes, for the last ten years of his life, Jay was in dialysis three days a week.
He faced that task with grace, courage and determination, never complaining just doing what had to be done.
He had a quiet strength and a strong will.
That was his way.
Jay was a lifetime member of the National Elevator Construction Workers Local #19, and a past member of VFW Post #3067, The Spokane Club and FOE Post #3564.
A beloved husband and devoted dad, Jay was rewarded with his wish and went to his rest with God on February 23rd, 2012.
He spent his final days at his home surrounded by his family and friends and passed away peacefully there.
Jay was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Donald, Marvin (Moe), Richard and sister Barbara.
He is survived by his loving wife Maxine, sons Pat (Peggy) and Mike as well as his brother Jerry and sisters Rita and Sarah and numerous nieces and nephews.
Jay will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
There will be a visitation at Hennessey-Smith Funeral home between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday February 29th.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Lourdes, 1115 W. Riverside, Spokane, at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday March 1, 2012 followed by a burial service at the chapel and Holy Cross Cemetery at 1:30 p.m.
Memorial donation may be made to Hospice of Spokane, 367 E. 7th Ave. Spokane, WA.
99202, who provide invaluable care and assistance to Jay during his final days, or Spokanimal Care, 710 N. Napa St. Spokane WA.
99202.
Arrangements have been entrusted to: