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Terry Griffith

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TERRENCE RICHARD RUSSELL GRIFFITH

October 19, 1948 – December 21, 2025

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, and Papa, Terrence (Terry) Richard Russell Griffith, who passed away peacefully on December 21, 2025, surrounded by his wife and two children following a hard-fought battle with Alzheimer’s disease. 


Terry was born on October 19, 1948, in Selkirk, Manitoba, to Russell and Margaret Griffith. He was raised in Bissett, Manitoba, alongside his older sister, Faye. As a young man, Terry developed a love for sports and community, spending many years playing hockey and baseball in Bissett & Pine Falls. He met the love of his life, Shelagh, at Wallace Lake as a teenager, and they began dating while still in high school. 


After graduation, Terry moved to Winnipeg to work while his future wife attended nursing school. They were married on August 15, 1970, and settled into their family home at 1950 Henderson Highway, where they raised their two children, Barbara and Kevin, and built a lifetime of memories. 


Family was always at the heart of Terry’s life. Winter ski holidays and summer camping trips were cherished traditions. His hobbies included downhill skiing, curling, and woodworking, the latter resulting in several years of crafting firefighter retirement plaques with pride and precision. 


Terry also had a lifelong passion for aviation. He owned and re-fabricated a two-seater Citabria 150 aircraft and spent countless hours flying throughout Manitoba, including a memorable longer flight to Alberta. His plane was stored at St. Andrews Airport, a place that brought him great joy & many friendships. 


Professionally, Terry served as a police officer with East-West St. Paul before embarking on a 30+ year career with the Fire Department. He formed many lifelong friendships through his service and remained actively involved in firefighter alumni events, including fishing derbies, breakfasts, and summer picnics. Terry retired proudly at the rank of Captain, carrying immense respect for the profession and those who served alongside him. 


Terry and his wife later purchased property on Corkscrew Island at Lake of the Woods, where they spent many years building their cottage by hand. Cabin life brought new friendships, boat excursions, and treasured family time. A well-earned rum and Coke were always enjoyed once the work was done. 


Retiring at the age of 56, Terry embraced travel, particularly escaping Manitoba winters he never cared for. This led to several winters spent in Punta Gorda, Florida, where he and his wife made new friends and enjoyed new adventures. 


Above all, Terry treasured time with his grandchildren. He was a proud Papa to two granddaughters and three grandsons, and his love for them was evident in every moment spent together. 


Later in life, Terry was also able to reconnect with his birth mother and half-siblings, an experience that brought him great fulfillment. 


Terry is lovingly remembered by his wife of 55 years, Shelagh; his daughter Barbara (Mike); his son Kevin (Stacey); his grandchildren Noah (Raquel), Lucas, Lexi, Madeline, and Rhett; and his sister Faye Griffith. He was predeceased by his parents, Russell and Margaret Griffith, and his very special Aunt, Lil McLennon. 


Terry will be remembered for his dedication to family, his pride in service, his sense of adventure, and the quiet strength with which he lived his life. He made friends easily with a smile on his face and a rum in his hand. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. The family would like to thank Dr. Saunders and the staff of North 1 Unit at Middle Church Personal Care Home for all the wonderful support & kindness Terry received during his final days. 


A celebration of life will be held on January 10, 2026 from 2-5 pm at the Royal Canadian Legion, 215 Maxwell King Drive.


In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Manitoba.


“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” 

~Winnie the Pooh

ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

1833 Portage Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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laura furnival

February 17, 2026 at 9:45 PM

Terry was our neighbour ..and what a great guy! We have many memories of him behind the bar at our annual Christmas parties when we lived on Ranch Shelagh, we wish you comfort in your memories. LAURA FURNIVAL and LINDSAY OLIVER

Kathryn Fisher McTavish and Dr. Bob Gould

January 22, 2026 at 12:30 AM

Shelagh: Terry was real character and good sense of humour. Take care of yourself Shelagh.

Ron & Lil Griffith

January 18, 2026 at 4:47 PM

Sorry we missed the Celebration for Terry as we are in Mexico.

We have many fond memories of Terry & Shelagh, too many to list. We will never forget him. We will hold you all close to our heart.

Take care

Ron & Lil Griffith & family.

De;l & Barb (McLeod) Stevenson Morris, Mb

January 18, 2026 at 3:25 PM

We are sorry that the bad weather and roads prevented us from attending Terry' celebration of life. Many good memories of Terry when we were growing up in Bissett, Plus at LOTW in the summer we usually visited each other as our cabin was just around the corner of Corkscrew Island. Sincere condolences to Kev, Barb, Shalagh and family.

John Lumb and Mary Alice Legge

January 12, 2026 at 8:46 PM

Terry, Dear Friend, we will miss you!!

 

Who, but you, could make workouts at 5:30 in the morning in Emerald Point's tiny gym such good fun - the four "CRAZIES" - You, Miss Frizz (Chris), John and Mary Alice - the laughter and frivolity emanating forth from that room drove others away!!

 

We may not have known you for the longest of years, but during the period so many great memories were made - making cabbage rolls in the afternoon at E.P.; telephone calls from Winnipeg at Happy Hour; you and Shelagh visiting us here in Cobourg; to name a few!! Thanks for those memories!!

 

You left us with a saying, which we use on a regular basis and will, therefore, never forget you - it is " You can't fix stupid!!"

 

Dear Shelagh and family, our thoughts are with you and we send our love.

 

Take Care "Dear Friend"!!

 

John Lumb and Mary Alice Legge (Sweet Pea)

Doug &Lynda

January 12, 2026 at 2:14 PM

Dear Shelagh and family

We are so very sorry to hear of Terry's passing- we just got word today so unfortunately were not able to attend his Celebration of Life. it has been many years since we have seen you but we have such fond memories of spending time with you. Terry was such an upbeat fun loving guy.

With our sincere condolences

Doug and Lynda Michie

Marlene (Stowell) Tanaka

January 10, 2026 at 9:23 PM

So sorry to hear this news. it was a lifetime ago that I remember Terry playing his guitar. i wasn't sure that he appreciated our hard work painting your kitchen at 1950- possibly it was the colour he wasn't keen on. Marlene (Stowell)Tanaka

Marilyn & Al Pilon

January 10, 2026 at 1:03 PM

Terry & Shelagh - a great team! We'll miss Terry's sense of humour and upbeat view of life. He was a true and loyal friend to us for over 40 years and we enjoyed so many good times with hI'm and Shelagh - in Winnipeg, Lake of the Woods, Kingston and South Florida. Many of those adventures happened on the water - power boating around Corkscrew Island, sailing Lake Ontario, and cruising the River Shannon in Ireland. Terry was always confident and comfortable navigating in any situation (even if he occasionally terrified his passengers😂). Miss you Terry.

  • Our love to Shelagh, Kevin, Barbie & families

Sue & David Kostuik

January 10, 2026 at 11:16 AM

A Great Neighbour. Always a good time, Lots of laughs and jokes. He was quite the character. Always walking over to our deck with his glass of ice looking for a rum. We will miss him dearly.

Robert Dwayne Huot

January 7, 2026 at 11:06 AM

Kevin and Family, I'm sorry for your loss, and I'm thinking of you and your family. Best Regards, Dwayne Huot

Kevin Visser

January 6, 2026 at 10:30 PM

Sorry to hear. I remember working with Terry at 5 Stn. Have a favorite memory of going into the burn tower at our training facility with him. He was a great guy.

Will be missed, Kevin Visser

Ken McMullen Winnipeg Fire.

January 6, 2026 at 8:27 PM

I worked with Terry for about 30 years, on and off. He always had a smiling face and a hearty laugh. Thanks Terry for the memories. I can't make the memorium, as I'm now in North Vancouver, but I'll be there in spirit big guy.

MIKE JACKSON

January 4, 2026 at 8:16 PM

Aunt Shelagh , Barbara, Kevin condolences and prayers 🙏 for comfort at this tough time . Picture is exactly what I remember look of uncle Terry and know he had a lot in common with my dad Love and blessings from Mike Jackson from Medicine Hat ,alberta

Robert and Deborah Bonser

January 3, 2026 at 3:22 PM

Rob and are are saddened to hear of Terry's passing. Condolences to Shelagh, Barbare, Kevin and family .

He was a wealth of information and a huge help to us when we bought our cottage on Corkscrew Island. We had many an enjoyable evening sharing homemade bevies and playing many hours of CrossCribb. Although we no longer have the cottage, we have many wonderful memories of our time spent with him and Shelagh and have spoken of them often. Terry was easy to be around and had a wicked sense of humour that could lighten any mood. Rest in peace Terry. Thanks for the memories.

John and Dory Pirie

January 3, 2026 at 1:39 PM

Shelagh,Barbara,Kevin and family.You have our heartfelt condolences over Terry's passing.Tons of memories of the great times spent together. He will be sorely missed.Rest in peace Terry.

Jack & Sheila Di Santo

January 3, 2026 at 1:13 PM

Our condolences to Shelagh and family. We met Terry, while he and Shelagh lived on Ranch Road, we enjoyed his visits and his home made rum. We continue to enjoy the renovations he completed in our home. Rest in peace Terry.

Stew & Carla Knight

January 3, 2026 at 8:18 AM

Dear Shelagh, Barbara, Kevin and families. We are Very Saddened to hear of Terry’s passing. We have many, many fond memories of our time spent with you and Terry over the years when we lived in Winnipeg. Please accept our heartfelt sympathy and know that Terry will always hold a very special place in our heart’s.

Emerald Pointe Friends

January 2, 2026 at 4:33 PM

Judy Anderson

Very sad. He had a great sense of humor. He can talk aviation with Ken Anderson out there in the universe as they watch over us📷

Cheryl Dudgeon Lewis

Thank you Ken for posting this - what a great life he led- memories for all who knew him

Debbie Albert

Whoever wrote that, said it well!

May he rest in peace!!

Prayers for the family!

Nancy Hiatt

Thank you Ken for letting us know about Terry. He will be missed by many

Marcia Wilk

I will always remember Terry’s great sense of humor and a wonderful friend and bldg c neighbor.

Rest in peace Terry.

Denise Vieira Meikle

How sad! Terry was a great guy and loved here at EP.📷📷

Judi Cappa

Rest in peace dear friend 📷

Chris Ressel Green

📷Top contributor

Fly high Terry, until we meet again !

Corinne Gallacher Errett

📷📷

Linda Krakower Greene

Thank you for letting us know, Ken. Very sad. Sending condolences.

Ken Trish and Katherine Armstrong

January 1, 2026 at 11:15 AM

Additonal photos

Ken Trish and Katherine Armstrong

January 1, 2026 at 11:08 AM

Good-bye dear friend

It doesn’t seem that long ago that we first met you and Shelagh in Emerald Pointe Fl.

We hit it off immediately and soon become best friends.

We had many adventures together in Biloxi , Miami , Montreal Quebec City and even Wellington and Winnipeg.

I’ll always remember how you admired my boating skills and named me Captain Ping Pong .

Your lessons in life itself remain a stead fast in our memories You can’t fix …”certain things”

You even shared your “Cowboya” music with us.. its still sucks.

In the end as Frank Sinatra once said .. you did it your way

Shelagh we love you and send our sympathy to your entire family

We love you

Ken. Trish and Katherine Armstrong

John and Margaret Percival

December 31, 2025 at 10:46 PM

We shared many happy hours and laughs with Terry and Shelagh . Travelling to Dominican Republic and later to Florida the memory's are many . They shared many happy hours on Corkscrew Island having cottages in close proximity .Terry was our friend and he will be missed.. Hope you find a rum and coke and a cowboy tune waiting for you when you arrive at your next place

Runi & Ted Michalik

December 31, 2025 at 11:44 AM

Well Terry Going to miss those summer drops in & all the Face Time conversations we had when all I could see was your stomach & a rum & Coke But it was always nice that you @ Sheila always called us from Florida to say hi It was Wonderful to have had you,Sheila ,Kevin And Barb as part of all family Finally. Rest in Peace Brother. You will always be in our Hearts 💕All our Love Runi & Ted Michalik

Tom & Shelley Ranta

December 30, 2025 at 7:10 PM

For many years we had the pleasure of enjoying the friendship of Terry and Shelagh while in Punta Gorda. From playing tennis, boat rides, trip to Nashville, dinning out or just talking at one of many "Happy Hours." Will truly miss all those great times but we have tons of memories of Terry that we will keep close to our hearts. We send our love and sympathy to Shelagh and the entire family.

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