1927
Jack
2010
Jack Terrill
February 13, 1927 — April 8, 2010
Jack E. Terrill, 83, of Greensburg, passed peacefully from this world on April 8, 2010 at Redstone Highlands after a courageous battle with metastatic melanoma. He was supported in his struggle by his loving family, friends, medical professionals, and a firm faith in God. Jack was born February 13, 1927 in Penn, PA, the son of the late Perry S. and Ida May (Peden) Terrill. The family moved to Jeannette in 1929 where Jack resided until moving to Greensburg in 2005.
In addition to his parents, Jack was preceded in death by half-sister, Rae Frances Clark Luce. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ethel (Shannon) Terrill, formerly of Mercer County Pennsylvania. Other survivors include his son, Richard Terrill and wife Christine of Greensburg, daughter, Marcia Wilson and husband Wayne of Scottdale, grandson, Lee Terrill and wife Julianne of Washington County, and granddaughter, Leslie Terrill of Greensburg.
Mr. Terrill graduated from Jeannette High School and went on to earn two Associate Degrees; the first from Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics in Aircraft Instrumentation and the other from Lincoln Extension Institute in Industrial Management. Following his graduation from Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics, Mr. Terrill's career began as an instrument repair instructor at PIA. He then worked for several years as a technical writer with Hagan Corporation in Pittsburgh. He specialized in writing operating/maintenance manuals for the aircraft carrier "Saratoga", the cruiser "Norfolk" and a variety of other naval and merchant vessels.
In 1956, Jack joined Elliott Company in Jeannette, heading up the Instruction Manual Department. He later joined Elliott's Advertising Department and became Public Relations Liaison and Assistant Advertising Manager. While in advertising, he traveled to Taipei, Tokyo, and Moscow directing the Elliott Company displays for US Chamber of Commerce industrial exhibits. In the mid 70's he became a member of the Turbine/Compressor Department and in late 1977 Jack received an assignment to Elliott's London Office where he and Ethel resided for just over a year. In London, he acted as a liaison between Elliott in Jeannette and Elliott on the Isle of Wight where compressors were being built for Shetland Islands off shore drilling sites. He retired from Elliott Company in 1986 after 30 years of service.
From an early age, Jack had a love of flying that he fulfilled by obtaining his private pilot license in 1972 at the former Pittsburgh-Boquet airport. He was a co-owner in several small airplanes during his 20-year flying career. In 1983, Mr. Terrill joined son Rick and friend John Felice to form Boquet Aero Services at the airport. They provided aviation fuel, flight training, aircraft rental, and other fixed base operations.
When Boquet Aero Services closed in 1990, Jack became the Pennsylvania chief instructor for the AARP 55-Alive Safe Driving classes for Senior Citizens and served in that capacity through the end of the decade. He also volunteered as a guide and docent with the Bushy Run Heritage Society. For his work at Bushy Run, he was named "2002 Distinguished Volunteer of the Year" by the Pennsylvania History and Museum Commission.
Mr. Terrill and his wife were host family for Swiss foreign exchange student, Daniel Gubler, during the 1966-67 school year. Jack was active as a volunteer leader in the Boy Scouts of America throughout the 1960's, was a vigil member of Wagion Lodge #6, and served many years as Bushy Run District Commissioner for Westmoreland-Fayette Council. Jack was member of Westmoreland Lodge No. 518, F&AM and a member of First Presbyterian Church of Greensburg.
There will be no public visitation. Private internment will be at Jeannette Memorial Park. A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 300 S. Main Street, Greensburg, PA at 11:00 AM on Saturday April 17, 2010 with Rev. Martin R. Ankrum officiating. The family requests no flowers. Memorial contributions may be made in Jack's name to First Presbyterian Church of Greensburg, PO Box 1038, Greensburg, PA 15601-1038.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the KEPPLE-GRAFT FUNERAL HOME INC., 524 N. Main St., Greensburg. Terence L. Graft, funeral director, in charge. For online condolences or information, visit www.kepplegraft.com.
In addition to his parents, Jack was preceded in death by half-sister, Rae Frances Clark Luce. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ethel (Shannon) Terrill, formerly of Mercer County Pennsylvania. Other survivors include his son, Richard Terrill and wife Christine of Greensburg, daughter, Marcia Wilson and husband Wayne of Scottdale, grandson, Lee Terrill and wife Julianne of Washington County, and granddaughter, Leslie Terrill of Greensburg.
Mr. Terrill graduated from Jeannette High School and went on to earn two Associate Degrees; the first from Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics in Aircraft Instrumentation and the other from Lincoln Extension Institute in Industrial Management. Following his graduation from Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics, Mr. Terrill's career began as an instrument repair instructor at PIA. He then worked for several years as a technical writer with Hagan Corporation in Pittsburgh. He specialized in writing operating/maintenance manuals for the aircraft carrier "Saratoga", the cruiser "Norfolk" and a variety of other naval and merchant vessels.
In 1956, Jack joined Elliott Company in Jeannette, heading up the Instruction Manual Department. He later joined Elliott's Advertising Department and became Public Relations Liaison and Assistant Advertising Manager. While in advertising, he traveled to Taipei, Tokyo, and Moscow directing the Elliott Company displays for US Chamber of Commerce industrial exhibits. In the mid 70's he became a member of the Turbine/Compressor Department and in late 1977 Jack received an assignment to Elliott's London Office where he and Ethel resided for just over a year. In London, he acted as a liaison between Elliott in Jeannette and Elliott on the Isle of Wight where compressors were being built for Shetland Islands off shore drilling sites. He retired from Elliott Company in 1986 after 30 years of service.
From an early age, Jack had a love of flying that he fulfilled by obtaining his private pilot license in 1972 at the former Pittsburgh-Boquet airport. He was a co-owner in several small airplanes during his 20-year flying career. In 1983, Mr. Terrill joined son Rick and friend John Felice to form Boquet Aero Services at the airport. They provided aviation fuel, flight training, aircraft rental, and other fixed base operations.
When Boquet Aero Services closed in 1990, Jack became the Pennsylvania chief instructor for the AARP 55-Alive Safe Driving classes for Senior Citizens and served in that capacity through the end of the decade. He also volunteered as a guide and docent with the Bushy Run Heritage Society. For his work at Bushy Run, he was named "2002 Distinguished Volunteer of the Year" by the Pennsylvania History and Museum Commission.
Mr. Terrill and his wife were host family for Swiss foreign exchange student, Daniel Gubler, during the 1966-67 school year. Jack was active as a volunteer leader in the Boy Scouts of America throughout the 1960's, was a vigil member of Wagion Lodge #6, and served many years as Bushy Run District Commissioner for Westmoreland-Fayette Council. Jack was member of Westmoreland Lodge No. 518, F&AM and a member of First Presbyterian Church of Greensburg.
There will be no public visitation. Private internment will be at Jeannette Memorial Park. A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 300 S. Main Street, Greensburg, PA at 11:00 AM on Saturday April 17, 2010 with Rev. Martin R. Ankrum officiating. The family requests no flowers. Memorial contributions may be made in Jack's name to First Presbyterian Church of Greensburg, PO Box 1038, Greensburg, PA 15601-1038.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the KEPPLE-GRAFT FUNERAL HOME INC., 524 N. Main St., Greensburg. Terence L. Graft, funeral director, in charge. For online condolences or information, visit www.kepplegraft.com.
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