Galvin, Terry R.

Terry R. Galvin of Iowa City died Saturday, Aug. 17, 2013, at his home comforted by family. A wake will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23, at Unity Center of Cedar Rapids on Blairs Ferry Road. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Unity Center of Cedar Rapids, with refreshments to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Iowa City Hospice.

Online condolences can be left at .

Terry Roxie Galvin was born Aug. 11, 1942, in Portland, Ore. He was adopted in Red Wing, Minn., two years later by his parents, Eleanor and Francis “Pat” Galvin. Terry grew up in Minneapolis, Minn., where he graduated in 1960 from Patrick Henry High School and enjoyed being part of the football and wrestling teams there. After high school, Terry went through training with the U.S. Army at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. and served in the reserves before receiving an honorable discharge. In 1962, he moved to Cedar Rapids with his family, where he enrolled in Cedar Rapids Business College. It was there he met the love of his life and bride of nearly 50 years, Verna Mae Pasker. Verna Mae and Terry married the following autumn on Oct. 5, 1963. After growing up as an only child, Terry immediately enjoyed becoming a part of Verna's large family, including her five brothers and sisters.

Terry and Verna moved to Hastings, Neb. in 1966 and adopted their eldest daughter, Jackie Galvin in 1968. Four years later, in 1972, they adopted their second daughter, Michelle Galvin. In 1981, he moved his family to Iowa, where they remained through his children's schooling. Terry and Verna had the opportunity to live in several different parts of the country between 1990 and 2000, when they returned to Iowa City following the birth of their first grandchild.

Terry worked several jobs over the years including retail, as an electrician, in the printing industry and most recently at the University of Iowa in resident services, until he retired in the spring of 2010.

Terry was a member of the Unity Center of Cedar Rapids. He enjoyed the Iowa Hawkeyes, the Minnesota Vikings, westerns and war movies and was an avid reader. Terry was very handy and was quick to lend a hand to those who knew him. In his eyes, nothing beat sharing a great meal and conversation with his family. He will be remembered as a kind and social man, who was a good listener and storyteller.

He is survived by his wife, Verna Mae Galvin; his two daughters, Jackie Galvin (Tony Taddonio) of North Liberty and Michelle Galvin (Brian Mildenstein) of Iowa City; and three grandchildren, Eleanor Mildenstein, Henry Mildenstein and Emily Taddonio.

He is also survived by Verna's five siblings, their spouses and his many nieces and nephews.

Terry was preceded in death by his parents, Pat and Eleanor Galvin; and his in-laws, Jack and Luella Pasker.

The family of Terry Galvin would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Jill Endres and Iowa City Hospice.

Published in The Gazette Aug. 21, 2013.