MCKINNON, TERRY J., 71, Died peacefully on January 20, 2017 in Nanaimo at NRGH ICU following valiant efforts by surgeons and nurses at West Coast General and Nanaimo Regional General Hospital to bring him through. He leaves his wife, Maureen [Therrien-McKinnon], daughter, Trudy [Royce] Schmidt, Kamloops, BC; grandsons Andy and BJ [Brandon] Schmidt; and great grandson, Connor [Schmidt]; two step-sons, Randy [Barb] and Mark Therrien [Dawn], Red Deer/ Stettler, AB; granddaughter, Alyssa [Therrien]; grandson, Ryan [Therrien]; sister Sharon and brother, Del [Debbie], his mother, Mary-Alice McKinnon; as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and countless friends who admired him. Terry began his life journey on January 19, 1946 in Bentley, Alberta – the province where he grew up and then moved to various locations in British Columbia, finally settling in Ucluelet in 1995. As a child Terry had a passion for airplanes. At the age of 24 he became a pilot and for the next 20 years he owned 5 different airplanes and logged over 3500 hours of flying time over beautiful Vancouver Island and the BC coast. This was amazing because Terry only had sight in one eye. From an early age, Terry also had a passion for art and animals of all sorts and soon made them the center of his life. They were either eating out of his hand or being recreated in art. Terry was a brilliant artist, a sign painter and a master carver, carving life-like wildlife such as 7’ bears, eagles, heron, mountain goat, and fish with chain saws. His works are proudly displayed locally and with private collectors around the world including the “Welcome to Ucluelet” sign; the Ucluelet Cemetery sign; the “Mackenzie Beach Resort” archway in Tofino; numerous carvings and signs in Port Hardy and Chetwynd. Recent works included the large archway at the bottom of Johnson Street in Port Alberni: “Fishing Capital of the World”; and the recently erected Toquaht Nation archways, “Gateway to Barclay Sound and the Broken Group Islands” and “Secret Beach Campground” on Highway #4 at the entrance to the Toquart Bay road. Terry was a business man having owned his own sign painting shops and a business in Port Hardy. In Ukee, he owned several vessels and he loved to tour the Ucluelet harbour in his Bowrider, or camp out on the YAG – a recently owned 75’ vessel; or the Sea Dancer another cruiser. Terry owned a live-aboard vessel for a couple of years in Sydney; also a farm on Salt Spring Island prior to moving to the west coast. Terry’s gift of helping folks out in every way he possibly could will be remembered by many. Over the years, he taught several “students” the art of chainsaw carving who went on to successful careers in the field. He was an ‘adopted dad’ and close confidant of innumerable friends and neighbours. Moreover, he was a loving, considerate husband and father who will be sadly missed by all. Terry’s genuine love and interest in people enriched the lives of everyone he knew The massive void in our hearts and lives will slowly heal with the comfort, love and support we will provide for one another. A Celebration of Life will take place at the Ucluelet Community Centre in Ucluelet, BC on February 11, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. All welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Terry’s memory to the: Vancouver Island Wildlife Recovery Centre; http://www.niwra.org/