Obituary of TERLESKY – Russel John and Diana Mae

December 31, 2010 It is with deep sorrow that the family of Russel (Russ) and Diana Terlesky (nee Shmilar) announce their tragic passing in an automobile accident on Friday, December 31, 2010. Russ, first son (born April 21, 1941) of John and Mary Terlesky from Thorsby, AB, was a recent Petroleum Engineering graduate (University of Alberta ’62) when he met Diana, first daughter (born October 26, 1946) of Bill and Margrette (Atcheson) Shmilar, through a mutual friend in Edmonton, AB. They were engaged Christmas day, 1965, and married the following year on September 24th. Both Russ and Diana hailed from farming communities, and shared a deep devotion to family and pride in their Ukrainian heritage. With the birth of sons, Michael and Jarett, the circle of their love broadened and their home became the centre for holiday celebrations for family and friends. During the early years of marriage, Russ’s work with Chevron Standard Limited would become a 37-year career, moving them between Alix, Red Deer, Edmonton, Fox Creek and Calgary, where they finally settled in 1989. Russ was a well known petroleum engineer with uncanny attention to detail and a wealth of knowledge on subjects from farming to investment banking. Russ retired from Chevron in 1999; was affectionately referred to as the “dinosaur”. In addition to his professional career Russ continued to work the family farm near Thorsby with brother Richard. His dry wit and penchant for groan-worthy jokes made him as much the coveted host as was his gracious and elegant wife the consummate hostess. Diana was finishing high school then working for Wawanesa insurance when she first met Russ, throughout their moves she worked for the RCMP, Calgary Winter Club, Pacific Linens, attended Red Deer College, yet devoted the bulk of her time to her boys and the many organizations that the two young athletes were involved in. Her commitment to community had her volunteer canvassing for charities near and dear to her heart numerous times a year. The past decade, Diana worked as office manager for younger son Jarett’s chiropractic practice. She looked forward to retirement this spring, with plans to travel Italy with Russ. Jarett and wife Wendy Farrance welcomed son Jacob in 2005 and were blessed again in 2008 with daughter Josie. The arrival of grandchildren was pure joy for Russ and Diana and brought new purpose in their lives. Grandpa and grandson were an inseparable pair from the start and when Josie arrived the blessing of a granddaughter brought them bliss. They were a very significant part of their grandchildren’s lives and never missed an opportunity to spend time with Jacob and Josie or talk about them with great pride. Russ and Diana lived with their hearts and loved unconditionally. They will be sorely missed, always loved and never forgotten. They are mourned by mother Mary, sons Michael and Jarett (Wendy), grandchildren Jacob and Josie, brother Richard (Marilyn) Terlesky & family: Daryn (Amanda, Piran & Gabriel), Laurel, Natasha (Chris), Lindsey and Matthew and sister Donna (Stan) Kwong & family: Jessica (Andy, Silas and Aala) and Aaron and numerous extended family and close friends. Funeral Services will be held at Centre Street Church Main Campus (3900 – 2nd Street N.E.) on Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca or the Kidney Foundation of Canada, 6007 – 1A Street S.W., Calgary, AB T2H 0G5 Telephone: (403) 255-6108, www.kidney.ca. In living memory of Russ Terlesky and Diana Terlesky a tree will be planted at Big Hill Springs Park, Cochrane by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH Telephone: (403) 276-2296.