Ocean View resident Deon Terry will be remembered as a pillar of the community, a devoted family man and someone who always went the extra mile, said those who knew him.
He died at his Ocean View home yesterday, Sunday April 13, after a year-long battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 58 years old.
Mr Terry was the head facilitator of the Ocean View Emergency First Aid Responders (EFAR) and a member of Emergency Voluntary Services (EVS).
Ocean View resident Deon Terry died of pancreatic cancer on Sunday April 13.
Image: Supplied
His wife Paula said he had fought a brave battle and his aim was to go back to work and serve his community.
Ocean View resident Vasco Vigis said: “A cedar has fallen.”
He said Mr Terry produced many community activists that love working for the community and was an inspiration to all.
“We have many EVS workers and volunteer firefighters inspired by Deon, and he planted those seeds. It’s the hallmark of a good man. He shared his knowledge willingly and freely and would assist any organisation with a freebie if they needed first aid. He was happy to do it,” he said.
Mr Vigis said the Vigis Home of Hope (VHOH) Ocean View Cadets participated in a parade organised by Kids Are Kids, a local non-profit, and EVS to honour Mr Terry on Saturday April 5.
Despite being weak, he said, Mr Terry asked to be pushed outside in his wheelchair, where he shared words of hope and encouragement with the cadets.
Mr Vigis said Mr Terry was also passionate about educating the community to not hurt or rob the EVS responders when there was a spate of ambulance robberies in Ocean View a while back.
“Those were his last words to me again on Saturday when I asked him if he had a message for the community. That was his core message despite being sick. He did not have a selfish bone in his body,” said Mr Vigis.
The late Deon Terry with his certificate of appreciation.
Image: Supplied
Kids are Kids founder Luke Koeries, middle, with Ocean View community activist and life coach Earl Mentor, left, and Emergency First Aid Responder (Efar) coordinator Deon Terry during an award ceremony organised by non-profit organisation, Kids are Kids to thank first responders for their efforts during the taxi strike in August 2023.
Image: Supplied
On Friday April 11, Raiz Adams, a member of the Fresh Start Cycling Club organised a rally with three cycling clubs for Mr Terry.
He said more than 70 cyclists had removed their flashing red lights from the back of their bikes and had placed them at the front of their bikes to resemble an ambulance and they made their way to Mr Terry’s house around 6.30pm where they handed over flowers and a certificate of appreciation to his wife.
“It was a privilege to do it for him while he was still alive,” said Mr Adams.
The Idea, he said, was to honour a hero in the community.
“At some stage Ocean View got a lot of bad publicity due to the violence and shootings and we wanted to show our appreciation to those who had a positive impact in the community. As a first responder he never stopped working. He always showed up, even on his off days,” Mr Adams said.
In November 2021, Mr Terry organised for the provincial government’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to run a vaccine drive in Ocean View and to educate the community about Covid-19 (“Catch the Vaxi Taxi in Ocean View,” Echo, November 2021).
Ms Terry said details for the memorial service are yet to be finalised.
Mr Terry is survived by his wife, his eldest son Keegan, and daughters Kirstyn and Kelly.