Terry KOTASKA

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KOTASKA: Terry “TK”. On November 25, 2012, our wonderful brother and uncle, Terry Kotaska, passed away. The fourth child born to Jerry & Helen Kotaska, he arrived on April 11, 1961 which was a wonderful birthday present for his Dziadzu Pacyna. Sharing a birthday for them was something special. Terry attended both elementary and high school in Carberry. After graduation he ventured west and worked construction in Calgary, not knowing how those skills would come in handy! He moved back to Manitoba and attended Brandon University studying Psychology with the thought of entering Social Work. But Terry followed another calling – music. Music was more than a passion for TK, it was part of who he was. When he played onstage it was like he was transported to another world. He toured western Canada for several years with bands and when the bands practiced in our Mom’s basement, they always drew an audience. TK loved having kids there to entertain – he was a music God to many young adults in Carberry. Many of whom still consider him their major musical influence. As years passed his life took him in another direction: the art of taping, drywalling and painting. And it was that to him…an art. A perfectionist in his craft that kept him high in demand for work. Other than music, his other major love in his life were his many nieces and nephews. Not only was he ‘Uncle TK’, but he was also Godfather to nieces Natalie, Mallory and Abigail, a role that he took very seriously and held dear to his heart. The ruff and gruff exterior always melted away around the kids and they never took that act seriously – they saw the real Uncle TK – they guy who had the biggest heart of us all. Upon birth, each niece or nephew was bestowed by Terry, a name which would / will follow them until the end of their days. The anticipation of the name was as much as waiting for each impending birth! He was never without treats, a head rub or a hug. He made each child feel special and loved. His family was very important to him. He would help with anything but never without a ‘rant’ or a ‘fuss’ but he was always the first to show up and when family members came to visit, he was always the first to welcome them home. He also had a soft spot for animals. If there was ever an animal in need, he would take them in to heal and love them. His love of animals recently earned him the nickname Terry ‘Cat’aska. Terry was an amazing part of our family. We will miss his gift of song on our birthdays – his own rendition of “Happy Birthday” played horribly on his guitar; his off–the-wall sense of humor, storytelling and delivery of jokes which no one will ever be able to match and he could make light of any situation and leave everyone in stitches. No one could enter a room like him, no one could make you laugh like him – sometimes, when he joked, you didn’t know if you wanted to slap him or hug him! And no one could make you feel more loved or more special. In the last few months of our mother’s life, Terry moved back home and took attentive care of her. We know that Mom appreciated it as did we. Terry leaves to mourn his siblings Mark (Audrei), Jackie, Pat (Rick), Rick (Bonnie) and Toni (Guy), as well as his nieces and nephews Danette (Casey), Sarah (Darcy), Steven, Kelly (Joanna), Kevin (Meredith), Alysha, Noah, Devan and Natalie; great nieces and nephews Mallory, Ilyanna, Camryn, Tristan and Abigail. Dear Brother and Uncle,The void that will be left in our family and our hearts is huge and unrepairable. Will you ever know how much you meant to all of us? You have been a constant in our lives, the one with the heart of gold and we thank you for every moment we had with you. We love you and we will miss you every day for the rest of our lives.We love you TK.As tokens of sympathy, donations in memory of Terry may be made to: D’Arcy’s ARC Animal Shelter, 730-B Century St, Winnipeg, MB R3H 0M1 or the Brandon Humane Society, 2200 – 17th St E, Brandon, MB R7A 7A5. A celebration of TK's life and love of music will be held at Squeak's Restaurant (Fat Tony's) on Friday, November 30, 2012 at 8:00pm in Carberry, Manitoba. A private family graveside will take place at the Carberry Plains Cemetery. Seasons Funeral Chapel, Oakbank, Manitoba, 204-444-5444.

As published in Brandon Sun on Nov 30, 2012