David F. Terry

Capt. David F. Terry, USN Ret, 74, of 18 Hunter Road, Portsmouth, RI, died Monday, February 27, 2012 at his home in Portsmouth. He was the husband of Judith L. Hickey Terry. Born in Fall River, MA on March 1, 1937, he was the son of the late Leonard W. and Elizabeth Jansen Terry. Capt. Terry was a 34 year veteran of the US Navy. In 1962 his ship was part of the blockade around Cuba. In 1967 he spent a year in country in Vietnam. After his active duty he taught at Diman Regional VOC before beginning a management career with Raytheon Corp., retiring in 1997. Dave enjoyed working with friends building homes for Habitat for Humanity. Especially important to him was helping to construct Hannahs House in Portsmouth. He was a regular at the towns Boy Scout Troop 1 committee meetings and continued long after his sons had left the troop. Daves Navy sword appeared often at official ceremonies. Wednesdays found Dave and retired Navy friends working on projects on board battleship USS Massachusetts in Fall River. Daves interests also included camping with family and Scouts and square dancing. Both Terrys enjoyed sponsoring foreign students attending the Naval Command Course at the War College. In April 2006 the Portsmouth Grange presented him with an award for outstanding service to the community. He served many years on the Portsmouth Senior Center Board of Directors and spent most days helping with activities. He greatly valued all the friendships he made there over the years. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Judith L. Terry of Portsmouth, RI, two sons Christopher L. Terry of Westport, MA, and Matthew D. Terry of Coventry, RI, and a daughter Alison G. Welsh of Hyannis, MA, and four grandchildren, Nathan, Justice, Mariah and Brandon, as well as one sister Linda Ann Papi of Miami, FLA memorial service with Military Honors will be held on Thursday, March 15, 2012, at 11:00am in the Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth, RI. The family will be receiving friends after the service at the funeral home.A private burial at RI Veterans Cemetery will take place at a later date.In recognition of Daves time and energy devoted to this organization, in lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Portsmouth Multipurpose Senior Center, 110 Bristol Ferry Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871.