Fuoco, Theresa (Terry)

1948 – 2023

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Theresa (Terry) Fuoco, beloved sister, auntie and friend. Terry passed away after a brief, but bravely fought, battle with cancer. Predeceased by her parents Santy (2005) and Louise (2018). She is survived by her brothers Russ (Star) and Michael (Karen) Fuoco, nieces Holly, Kristi, Leila and Nicole and their children.

Terry was born in Kamloops BC. She was the first child and only daughter for her parents Santy and Louise Fuoco.  As a young girl in Kamloops Terry spent a lot of time with her Nonna who lived next door. Nonna feared Terry was not fed properly by her non-Italian mother so she served her a second lunch daily. Terry spent the first few years of her life in Kamloops until her father received several job transfers. These transfers meant the family moved many times and Terry spent her youth and teenage years in Winnipeg, Vancouver and Nanaimo. Living in Winnipeg her lifelong passion for music and attending concerts began. She saved up her money and travelled by train from Winnipeg to Vancouver to see the Beatles in 1964 at the age of 16. Terry interviewed The Guess Who, then an emerging band from Winnipeg, for her high school newspaper. She came of age during a wonderful time for music. Concerts she attended included the Yardbirds, the Doors, Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones just to name a few. In 1980 she was introduced to the music of a new band called U2. Terry quickly became a diehard fan. Over the following 43 years, Terry attended over 50 U2 shows. It was not unusual for her to travel to Toronto, California, Hawaii and even Ireland for a concert. While in Ireland, she visited Windmill Lane Studios, the recording studio for U2. Like many fans, she signed the outside wall of the studio. Terry’s music memorabilia span 6 decades.

Terry was a vibrant woman. People naturally gravitated to her friendly and fun personality.  Terry never had a dull day after taking early retirement from Telus in 1999. She loved animals and started her retirement by enrolling in a vet technician course, a lifetime dream. Another dream was to move to Salt Spring Island where her parents relocated in 1977. In 2006, a year after losing her father, Terry sold her home in White Rock and purchased a lovely home on Salt Spring Island. There she made many new friends adding to her already wide circle. She volunteered at the SPCA and worked at a vet clinic. She had an abiding love for all animals and took wonderful care of those in her charge. Terry was especially fond of cats and was called the “cat whisperer” by friends. Her own precious kitties gave her no end of joy and were treated like royalty. After years living on Salt Spring, Terry decided it was time for a change. She sold her home on Salt Spring and purchased a lovely condo in Sidney in 2022. She settled into her new home and again made many new friends.

Special thanks to her wonderful friends during this difficult time. Thank you as well to the team at Royal Jubilee Hospital.

A celebration of life for Terry’s family and close friends will be held on November 24, 2023 at Mary Winspear Centre, 2243 Beacon Avenue, Sidney BC.

I know that this is not goodbye.