Terence P. O’Coin died on May 17, 2024, of pancreatic cancer, surrounded by his family, at UMass-Memorial Hospital, Worcester.
Terry was a kind and generous soul with a passion for travel, trivia, and his family, passed away unexpectedly. Born in Worcester and adopted by Joseph P. O’Coin and Jane A. (Hurley ) O’Coin, who predeceased him. He was raised in and attended school in Auburn. He graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute with a BS and MS in Computer Science. He embarked on a remarkable 41-year career, all within the same organization as it transformed between United Technologies’ Pratt & Whitney, Computer Sciences Corporation, CSC and DXC Technologies.
Known for his institutional knowledge and exceptional memory, Terry was a valuable asset to his colleagues. He was also a trivia champion, his mind a treasure trove of facts, especially about Worcester's history, classic cars, cool birds, and 70s radio hits.
In 1998, Terry found his soulmate, Mary (Dzaugis) O’Coin. They built a loving life together, celebrating nearly 26 years of marriage. He was a devoted father to their children, Charles and Emma, taking immense pride in their close relationship.
A love of travel fueled Terry's adventures. Before marrying Mary, he explored on his own, with a memorable trip to Italy and Greece with his friend Sujal. After marriage, family trips bloomed, taking them to Florida, National Parks across the Southwest, California, and Canada. He and Mary even enjoyed recent trips to Bermuda and Hawaii.
Despite his love of travel, Terry found comfort in familiar surroundings. After Auburn, he lived in Sturbridge for 20 years before building his dream lakeside retirement home in Leicester, a place he'd cherished since childhood summers began in 1963. Terry was involved with the communities in which he lived. He held the position of treasurer for the Cedar Meadow Watershed District for 28 years, was a member of the Mathematics and Computer Science advisory board at WPI, and most recently was a Trustee of the Board at Old Sturbridge Village.
Terry's passion for Worcester and WPI history extended to collecting memorabilia. He was the go-to person for local trivia, his knowledge a cornerstone of many a pub quiz victory.
Terry leaves behind a loving family: his wife Mary, their children Emma and Charles and Charles’ fiancé Danielle Poutre; his sister Patricia Silvey her husband Ron; brother Joseph O’Coin, Jr; along with his in-laws Lawrence Dzaugis and Patricia, Cathy Dzaugis and Jim Cadieux, Lizbeth Gustavson and Sten, Andrew Dzaugis and Carolyn Droser, John Dzaugis and Nancy Kane, Noel Stewart and nieces and nephews, Alyissa Dzaugis, Chelsea Dzaugis, Gwen Osborn-Gustavson, William Gustavson, Mary Elizabeth Dzaugis, Matthew Dzaugis and Peter Dzaugis, Maryjane Silvey, great-nieces and nephews, Sutton, Gemma, Beatrice, Eleanor, Anwyn, Cassidy, Carwyn and Ceylin.
A celebration of his life will be held in June at Old Sturbridge Village, with calling hours on Friday, May 24th from 4-7 pm at Callahan, Fay & Caswell Life Celebration Home, 61 Myrtle St, Worcester.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Old Sturbridge Village, please note "In Memory of Terry O'Coin", https://10797.blackbaudhosting.com/10797/Annual-Fund-Spring.
Or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network,
https://secure.pancan.org/site/TR/DIY/DIYTeamraisers?px=3738093&pg=personal&fr_id=2443.
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