Terrance David Mancuso

December 21, 1933 - January 23, 2022

Terrance “Terry” David Mancuso, a faithful deacon of the Catholic Church and Godly example for many, ended his temporary life of 88 years on earth and entered into eternity on Sunday, January 23, 2022. He was born on a remote, rural farm in the wide open spaces of Kankakee, IL, on December 21, 1933, at the end of the Great Depression and six years before the beginning of World War II. He was nurtured by the land, and in farming he discovered the beauty of God’s creation and God’s sovereignty over everyday life. It wasn’t until age 12 that Terry experienced the benefits of electricity. He embodied the characteristics of the Silent Generation: traditional values, hard work ethic, loyalty, interpersonal respect, resilience, and self-sacrifice. These were his attributes and reflected in his everyday life. In July of 1951, after graduating from high school at the age of 18, Terry enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served his country until 1955. Terry was a Korean War Veteran and he also served in Okinawa as an attaché with top-secret clearance, carrying documents necessary for planning and carrying out U.S. Air Force strategies. After his deployment overseas, he was stationed in Roswell, NM, where he fell in love for the first time in his life and married Nancy Lyle in 1955. Following his military service, Terry and Nancy moved to Illinois and Terry enrolled in Bradley University in Peoria. They settled in Manito, IL, and reared their three children Kristine, Anthony, and David, on a farm where Terry sowed and harvested an apple orchard with more than 800 trees. Their children enjoyed the pony, the cows, the lamb, and watching their dad patiently plant and replant the many flowers the lamb would eat. While tending to the farm and his family, Terry began a career with Caterpillar as a factory worker. He continued working for Caterpillar after graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Business degree in 1959. When their boys were young, Terry and Nancy organized and established a new pack of Cub Scouts. Nancy was the den leader and Terry was the cub master. Terry continued to be active in scouting and became the troop committee chairman. Terry’s commitment to the Boy Scouts of America program endured. He was the recipient of the District Award of Merit and later received the National Council of Catholic Bishops’ St. George Medal Award for his work with scouts over a 20-year period. It was during this time that his dear Nancy encountered serious illnesses, which the family coped with by their dad’s example of unselfish love and care. It was also the time when Terry’s thoughts turned to the diaconate program of the Roman Catholic Church. After a year of discernment and prayer he was formally ordained as a Permanent Deacon in the Diocese of Peoria in May 1983, with Nancy at his side. He actively served as a deacon for 38 years. His first assignment consisted of service between St. Patrick’s Parish in Havana, IL, and Immaculate Conception Mission Church in Manito, IL. His collaboration and leadership resulted in the organization and establishment of a Community Food Bank with the assistance of all local churches. In 1987 he was assigned to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Pekin, IL. After his children grew older, Terry’s work responsibilities with Caterpillar increased and eventually took him to Miami, FL. In Miami, Terry served as deacon at the Immaculate Conception in Hialeah. In 1990, after a 35-year corporate career, Terry retired from Caterpillar and he and Nancy moved to Port St. Lucie, FL, to be closer to their adult sons. In 1998, his wife Nancy passed away after 43 years of marriage. Terry was a dedicated husband and was the sole caretaker for Nancy during the last two years of her life. Following her death, he was assigned as a retired deacon to the Holy Family Parish where he actively served in every ministry of the church. Terry’s version of history regarding his newest assignment as deacon was that when he was formally introduced to the congregation a striking widow parishioner climbed over the pews to welcome him. Her name was Georgia Molloy. She asked him to join her group of friends for breakfast after daily mass. He became a part of the friends group, but his relationship with Georgia developed into something more special. A year and a half later, he and Georgia had their first formal date at a sports bar so Georgia could keep up with her teams that were playing that evening. Terry counted himself lucky to fall in love twice, and he took Georgia with him to meet his entire family for the funeral of his father. Likewise, Georgia included Terry as her plus one for the Molloy family gatherings and celebrations. However, although both sides of their respective families were happy regarding their mutual affection for each other, it required a Papal Apostolic dispensation for Terry to remain a deacon and remarry. Fortunately, that came to pass and the couple married each other on March 16, 2001. Following their marriage, Terry cultivated a deep friendship with Georgia’s sister Mary and her husband Bill Harbour. He considered Bill as one of his brothers and valued their close relationship. In 2010, after being diagnosed with two forms of cancer, and undergoing lung surgery, Terry and Georgia moved to Cary, NC. There he was assigned to St. Michael’s Catholic Church as a deacon through the assistance and guidance of Father James Garneau. Terry was very welcomed and felt at home because of the kindness of the pastors, Msgr. Doug Reed, Father Michael Burbek and the entire parish staff. Terry and Georgia settled in the Carolina Preserve where they developed many lifelong friends. Terry was very active in many local clubs and greatly enjoyed the relationships he formed in Cary. It seemed as if a club or group offered food, adult beverages, or chocolate, then Terry was most likely a member. He and Georgia shared a membership in the Newman Club, where Terry enjoyed expressing his faith. Tethered to his Italian roots, Terry was also a member of both local Italian clubs, the SPSS beer club, and the “A Few Good Men” monthly breakfast club. He also had a standing bimonthly breakfast date with dear friend Jim Boyle, where the two men would settle the problems of the world. As his health challenges mounted, he often attended services in his car at Saint Mother Teresa Catholic Church through Father Daniel Oschwald. He was very grateful for the announced, or unannounced home visits from Msgr. John Wall as well. He felt his Finnbar address provided him with the most thoughtful neighbors in the Carolina Preserve. He often bragged about how they were always watching out for him with a smile. He especially cherished the “what can we do for you?” expressions of friendship from next door neighbor twins Sandy Rusk and Bobbi Alter. Sometimes his friendships expanded into business relationships, as it did with Floyd and Judy Leporino. Floyd became Terry’s personal barber and guardian of Terry’s great mane of silver white hair. He enjoyed the quarterly birthday parties and the Covid driveway parties (thank you Judy Smith) especially when he ended up in the pictures. He loved trying to play the Annual Memorial Day Corn Toss Tournament in Vince and Norma Brown extended yard. Terry was always happy when he won the box of candy and all the neighbors would pass by the house with high-fives or a honking car horn. The men he met in the deacon programs and especially at St. Michael’s became close friends that stayed in touch via many discussions about the whys and whats and dos that confront deacons. He was always especially grateful to Deacon Dave and Linda for monthly get togethers for encouragement, laughter, prayer reflections, and good scotch. Despite his health struggles, Terry never complained, but persevered a life of gusto. He enjoyed his Illinois family visits where he looked forward to fishing, climbing a rock wall, or playing pool with his grandsons. His heart melted on one occasion when he was able to meet his first great granddaughter Zoe. And when at home in Cary, Terry and Georgia enjoyed family visits from Florida, South Carolina and Texas. His spirit was lifted whenever he had the chance to be with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and he took advantage of the time to express an unconditional love that reflected his understanding of how God loved him. Terry embraced life the way he embraced God, with humility and adoration. His love for farming never waned and his flower beds were well tended by his green thumb. He taught patience and cultivated a sense of wonder with his grandchildren as Grandpa Terry showed them the process of a caterpillar changing into a chrysalis and becoming a butterfly. He had a magic, endearing quality that was an attraction to everyone who knew him. During his last 10 years much of his gracious generosity was returned to him through dear friendships. After losing his close friends (Ray, Sonny, John, and Jim) in such a short time he was always concerned for their widows — Judy a faithful servant, Margot his prayerful friend, Beth the quiet one with the zingers, and Camille who lovingly told him what he should do. He valued his professional friendships as well, specifically with Dr. William Barry of Florida, and with Dr. Sebastian Lee and Dr. Regina Shin, cherished companions who were always willing to provide pro bono medical counseling and care. Joey and Bailey Gibson provided Terry with home healthcare that included games of Rummikub. And as home healthcare needs increased Patricia Kordoulis from Comfort Keepers was a friend and angel. He prayed for God’s blessings on them all. Terry always promised Georgia that he would wake up with a big smile on his face. Many were witnesses to that morning smile and Italian bear hug and kiss that followed, until the last day he told his wife he couldn’t muster it. It was a reckoning and a goodbye from a one-of-a-kind man, afraid of nothing, honest to the core, protective of those he loved and full of praises for everyone he met. Terry was a man of peace and will be missed forever. Terry is survived by is wife Georgia Molloy Mancuso; children Kristine (Steve) Spencer, Anthony (Nancy) Mancuso, and David Mancuso; brothers Joseph (Carol Ann) Mancuso, Anthony Mancuso, Ronald (Peggy) Mancuso; and sister Mary Voss. On Georgia’s side of the family, Terry is also survived by “bonus children” John (Jeanne) Molloy, Bridget (Vincent) Salas, David (Michelle) Molloy, Laura (Tony) Parsons, and Douglas Molloy. Additionally, he is survived by a combination of 16 grandchildren and six great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Antonio Mancuso and Violet (Smith) Mancuso, first wife Nancy, sister Rosemary Raymond, and grandson Ryan Spencer, whose death was a deep sadness for Terry. Viewing will be at the St. Michael’s Conference Center from 4pm to 7pm on Thursday, January 27, 2022. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 804 High House Rd., Cary, NC 27513 at 12 o’clock noon, Friday, January 28, 2022. In lieu of flowers, donations can be mailed to Mother Theresa Catholic Church, 10030 Green Level Church Road, Suite 802, #1092, Cary, NC, 27519, memo: Deacon Terry Mancuso, https:/www.stmichaelcary.org, OR St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 804 High House Rd, Cary, NC 27513, memo: Deacon Terry Mancuso.