Terrence "Terry" Michael Maccagno
June 9, 1962 - August 25, 2024
It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Terrence "Terry" Michael Maccagno. Terry was only 62 years old when he left us on August 25, 2024, in Lac la Biche, Alberta.

Terry was born in Edmonton on June 9, 1962, to Tom and Annette. He was the elder brother of Morris, Michelle, and Marc. He died where he spent his childhood summers, at the family cabin in Lac la Biche. Like his father Tom, who predeceased him in 2012, Terry loved swimming, canoeing and water-skiing in the lake, fishing, and capturing the beauty of nature through the lens of his camera.

Terry was a brilliant student, graduating as a metallurgical engineer from the University of Alberta in 1984 with a gold medal. He received the Edmonton Churchill Scholarship and several other awards to complete a PhD at Cambridge University. It was there that he met Aparna Sundar, who would become his beloved wife. After receiving his doctorate in 1988, he returned to Canada to take up a position with the National Research Council in Ottawa. He moved to the Department of Mining and Metallurgical Sciences at McGill University when Aparna came to McGill to do her master’s, and lived in Montreal for several years. In 1997, he moved to the University of Alberta to become an Assistant Professor of Materials Engineering and NSERC / TCPL Junior Industrial Research Chair in Pipeline Materials. It was there that he decided he did not enjoy the stressful and competitive nature of academia and transitioned into his new career in IT infrastructure. In 1998, he joined Compugen Systems Inc, and remained with them until his death.

Terry and Aparna were married in May 2000 in Toronto. Their daughter Rosa was born in 2001 and their son Ilan in 2005. Terry lived in Toronto for the rest of his life, except for the two years the family spent in Bangalore, India, where he worked with Tata Consultancy Services. Those were memorable years – spending time with Aparna’s parents and relatives, travelling to the Himalayas and the coasts, car trips to the hills, forests, and historic sites in the south, bird watching in Bangalore’s parks and lakes, and making new friends.

In Toronto, Terry was a steady part of a close group of friends, taking interest in his friends’ children along with his own. He enjoyed his neighborhood of Parkdale-High Park, where he could go walking or cycling in the park or along the lake. In the last few years, he loved to be out with his canoe, on the Humber River or exploring shorelines along the lake. From March 2020 on, he worked entirely from home, and became the most reliable companion to the family’s cat Kaju, who is still waiting for him to return. He read widely and kept up the appreciation for good films developed at Cambridge. He had an excellent memory and could hold a conversation on all kinds of things, from science, history and politics, to films, but was always happiest listening when others spoke. Terry was a wonderful father, husband, son, brother, son- and brother-in-law, and friend. He was a kind man and was never judgmental or critical of others. He was always even tempered and sweet. His warmth and generosity were remarked upon by all whose paths crossed his. He had a great sense of humour and fun, and an equally strong work ethic and sense of responsibility. We are so grateful that the last weeks of his life were spent travelling with his kids and enjoying time on the water.

Terry did not enjoy being the center of attention and never wanted big celebrations for himself, even for landmark birthdays. But we who love him, and there are many of us, want to celebrate his life and what he meant for us.

Please join us for a celebration of Terry’s life:
Thursday, September 5, 2024
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Roncesvalles United Church
240 Roncesvalles Avenue
Toronto, ON M6R 1L3

For livestreaming, click on the Livestream link below. Zoom passcode is f4rmqh

For more information, contact: rosa.nalini2627@yahoo.com / sgururani@gmail.com