THOMAS R. TERRANCE, Sr.

HOGANSBURG- Thomas R. "Tommy Bear" Terrance, Sr., "TEKANARATAKENTATE", age 74, of 82 Rooseveltown Road, passed away April 7, 2014 at his home, with his wife and daughter at his side. He had been in failing health for the past five years.

Thomas was born March 16, 1940, in Hogansburg, NY, son of the late Mary E. Thomas and George Terrance. He attended St. Regis Mohawk and Bombay Schools. He served in the U.S. Marine Corp. League from 1957 until his honorable discharge in 1962. On May 17, 1975 he married Hazella Garrow at the Hogansburg Methodist Church.

Tommy Bear was an Iron Worker for Local #711 Montreal, and Local #440 Utica. He then went to work for Kodak in Rochester, and returned to Akwesasne in 1979, where he worked at Twin Leaf and the Bear's Den. He was a Member of the Andrew W. Cook American Legion Post #1479, and a member of the Marine Corp League of Akwesasne. Thomas liked planting flowers and taking care of his lawn. He enjoyed listening to Hank Williams, but more than anything, he loved his family.

Besides his wife, Thomas is survived by his children, George Terrance and his companion Sabrina; Cody Terrance Gibson and her husband Mark; and Thomas R. Terrance, Jr., all of Akwesasne; 17 grandchildren; two great grandchildren; chosen grandson Dillon Martin, Snye; chosen great granddaughter Avah Cook, Cornwall; and chosen brother Eli and Gretchen Tarbell, Akwesasne; his brother Alvin and Larue Billings, Salt Lake City, UT; and sisters Janice and Donald Duso, Stuart, FL; and Cleo and Jack Hawk, Syracuse, NY.

Besides both of his parents, Tommy Bear was predeceased by his brother Darryl Billings; his granddaughter Randi Terrance; and his grandmother Margaret Lazore Terrance Loran Orakwinon; and his nephew C.J. Hawks.

Friends may call at "Fat Albert's," Rooseveltown Road, beginning Tuesday, at 7:00 PM until Thursday at 10:00 AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday at 11:30 AM at St. Regis Catholic Church, with Rev. Anthony Osuiji officiating. Cremation will follow.

Arrangements are with the Donaldson Funeral Home, where memories and condolences may be shared online at http://www.donaldsonfh.com.