Obituary of Terry Douglas Kuch TERRY DOUGLAS KUCH August 9, 1937 – February 2, 2018 Terry was born in Stratford, ON, the eldest child of Carl George and Mildred Emma (Ross) Kuch. He grew up in Hespeler where his Dad owned Sunny View Dairy. As a young school boy, Terry helped with the horse drawn milk delivery in the area, and as a teen he worked in a shop repairing motorcycles, which of course lead to riding them to satisfy his need for speed. In 1956 Terry joined the R.C.A.F. with his heart set on flying the F-86 Sabre. He trained with other aspiring NATO pilots in Penhold, AB, Portage la Prairie, MB and Chatham, NB. Much to his delight, he was selected for an F-86 posting with 444 Squadron (Cobra) in Baden-Soellingen, Germany. The pilots in this squadron have shared a life-long friendship, a love of flying and a biennial reunion to embellish their stories. Soon after returning to Canada in 1960, Terry and Lenore were married and they spent Terry's final service year stationed at Greenwood, NS. In 1961, Terry went into the hardware business with his father when they purchased Kawartha Hardware and Electric in Lakefield. He was a well-known and respected village merchant, often lunching at the Commercial, until his retirement in 1989. Terry and Lenore then retired to their lovely home on Kasshabog Lake, a home Terry built with help from many local tradesmen. In 2016 they moved back to the village due to his declining health. Terry served on the Lakefield Committee of Adjustment, was a member of the Chamber of Commerce, taught Air Cadets, and served on the Volunteer fire department. He, along with a local group of avid floatplane enthusiasts enjoyed flying into remote blueberry picking spots, weekend camping at Bottle Lake, and giving airplane rides to young and old so they too could enjoy the beauty of the Kawartha Lakes from high above. His Super Cub was parked at the Kasshabog dock always ready to "slip the surly bonds of Earth and danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings" (John Magee). Terry will be lovingly remembered by his wife and lifelong companion of 56 years, Lenore and their two children, Ross Douglas and Valerie Lynn. His memory will remain in the hearts of his grandchildren, Tyler, Avery and Morgen and his siblings, Sharon (Bruce) Irvine, Brian (Lenore) Kuch, Wayne (d) (Linda) (d) as well as many nieces and nephews. A celebration of life will be held at Ashburnham Funeral Home, 840 Armour Road, on Saturday, April 28, 2018 from 2 – 4 pm, where many stories will be shared…as Terry often said "no one has more fun than people" Donations to the Salvation Army or Charity of Choice would be appreciated by family at www.Ashburnham funeral.ca. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Terry Kuch, please visit Tribute Store