March 24, 2020
On March 24, 2020, John Terrance (Terry) Patrick Jeffery passed away peacefully at Royal Columbian Hospital.
Born in Trail and spending his childhood in Trail, Kimberley and Fernie, he quickly developed a love for the province of his birth and spent his life learning about and exploring it.
After completing his teaching and counselling education at UBC, Terry spent the first few years of his career in Dawson Creek where he met his ex-wife Judith. They moved to the Cowichan Valley in the late 60's and Terry continued his teaching career for over 35 years at Mt Prevost, George Bonner and Frances Kelsey. He was a much-loved high school counsellor, social studies teacher and field hockey coach who was affectionately known as Mr J by his students.
He had one child of his own, but he acted as a surrogate father figure to many. He was artistic, kind, humble and loving and hated being in the spotlight. He laughed and cried with abandon. He would likely make an off handed comment that this obituary was too long and nobody wanted to read about him.
For the last three years of his life, Terry lived in New Westminster with his daughter and family and those three years were cherished and appreciated more than he knew.
He is survived by his ex-wife Judith (Karen) his daughter Erin (Martin) and his grandson Maxton as well as the thousands of students that he loved and cared for over the years. Due to the current mandated restrictions regarding attendance at gatherings, memorials will be held in New Westminster and Mill Bay when we can all once again gather. We will provide extra Kleenex. As he would have needed and wanted.