Terry Organ 1960-2016

Tezza, 1993.

Terence John Organ was born at Bulli hospital on 25 October 1960, the son of Keith Organ (1930-2002) and Roma Crutchley (1930-2019) and the brother of Denise (1952-2015) and Michael (b.1956). During his life he was married to Kirsty Glenn, and later to Ada Risi. At the time of his death he was working as a wardsman at Wollongong District Hospital and had been there for many years. He was well known in the hospital as a compassionate person in regard to his care for patients. Terry died tragically after a short illness on 22 July 2016 from a brain tumour, at the Lawrence Hargrave Memorial Hospital, Thirroul. The following is a slide presentation compiled by Michael Organ and presented at Terry's funeral.

The images in the slide show include the following:

1. 1966 - Terry and Michael in bed at 6 Westmacott Parade, Bulli. Terry was aged 6 at the time, Michael aged 10, and both at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Bulli, being taught by the Josephite nuns.
2. 1976 - Terry at his drum kit, with the band Raven, St. Joseph's Primary School Hall, Park Road, Bulli.
3. circa 1981 - Terry and his friendship group at a wedding. Present include: Kirk & Angela, Matt, Rick, Ray, David, Kirsty ....
   
4. circa 1981 - Terry and Kirk Gilmour, Margaret Gilmour and her husband Geoff Beavis.
5. 1983 - Terry in his green Gemini.
6. circa 1977 - Oscar Maddison, guitarist with Raven, and Terry at a party.
7. circa 1977 - Terry and Matt Morris at a party.
8. circa 1987 - Terry, in ski wear, and his brother Michael in the backyard at 6 Westmacott Parade, Bulli.
9. 1993 - Terry and his wife Ada Risi.
   
10. circa 2000 - the family, left to right: * back row - Keith Organ, Melissa Barr, Christopher Barr, Michael Organ, Roma Organ;  * front row - Mary Anne Barr, Denise Organ with baby Jacob, and Terry Organ + dog.
11. circa 2008 - the family, left to right: * back row - Andrew Organ, Ada Risi-Organ, Terry Organ, Kyle Organ; * middle row - Ben, Denise, Roma + dog, Michael; * front row - Melissa and Jacob, Mary Anne and Chris.
12. circa 2012 - Terry, Michael, Roma and Denise.

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Some words ......

During their battle with the brain tumour, Terry and Ada created a Facebook page on 14 August 2015 to communicate with friends and family. It is full of beautiful comments. Below are some of their entries.

* 14 August 2015:  Hi everyone, thought I'd better let you know that it will be me - Ada - you will be chatting with most of the time. After using Facebook for a day Terry couldn't possibly cope with all this activity. He still gets tired, has blurry vision and trouble concentrating and that's even before he starts his treatment !! Looking forward to chatting with all of you (my arse has already grown larger since I started sitting in this chair for too long!!)

Hi dear family and friends. Firstly, I would like to thank you all for your prayers,kind words and support through what's been a very difficult time for Terry, myself and our families. It has been overwhelming knowing everyone has been thinking of us so dearly. So we've finally taken the plunge onto Facebook, and it will be much easier for us to communicate with you individually and to also keep you updated on Terry's battle with the his nemesis, Glioblastoma multiforme. As most of you know he had his surgery and sadly that weren't able to get all of it out due to the risk of damaging his brain further. At this point in time he has lost part of his peripheral vision on the left side and we're not sure if that will resolve with time. He is starting radiotherapy and chemotherapy on 25/8 simultaneously for 6 weeks then after a small break he will continue on with a weekly dose of chemo every month up to a 6 months period. Ada

* 26 August 2015: Hi everyone. Thanks for all your messages of support I have started treatment and so far feel okay but its only early days. If. the amount of friends one had counted towards a cure I would be cured. Thank u all again and hope 2 catch up soon. Terry

 * 10 September 2015: Hi dear family, friends and workmates. Nearing the end of Week 3 of chemo and radio. Going okay, feeling really tired and eating like a pig thanks to the steroids I have to take to keep my brain from swelling. You wouldn't recognise me now, people say I look healthier now that I'm sick than before when I was healthy and watching what I was eating. I never realised how good a battered sav could taste!! 3 more weeks of treatment to go. Hope to catch up with some of you then when I have a month's reprieve before restarting treatment. Thanks for all your continuing support and prayers, I have a long way to go. Terry

* 30 October 2015: Hi dear friends and family, thanks for all your birthday wishes. My month break is nearly over and am feeling stronger and more energised, but not for long. Next week I start the next phase of my treatment. That is, oral chemo, much stronger dose than before, for the next 6 months. Not sure how it will make me feel, time will tell. Thanks for your continuing support and positive messages, it's nice to know that I'm still in your thoughts........ Terry

Terry and Auntie Doreen, Thirroul Leagues Club, 2 April 2016.

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Last updated: 3 August 2023

Compiled by Michael Organ, Australia