Terry Bublitz, a celebrated curling coach,  passed away on October 28, 2019, at the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital at the age of 67.

Terry (Bubzy, Bubs) grew up in Genelle, and lived in both Trail and Genelle. He worked at Teck as an Electrician.

Terry was an avid curler, but his real passion was coaching at the local, provincial, and national level. He was well-known for his dedication in bringing and keeping junior curling alive in Trail, as well as for producing many teams and curlers that have gone on to Scotties, Briers, Worlds, and even Olympics. He has been an inspiration to kids in juveniles, high schools, and juniors, as well as coaching ladies’ and men’s teams. All of his players had a very special place in his heart! He will be greatly missed in the curling community. In 2002, he was selected as Trail’s Sportsman of the Year.

Terry was the first curling coach for Curl BC Provincial Coach and High Performance Director, Melissa Soligo. Soligo, who won bronze at the 1992 Olympics in Albertville,  said: “Terry was my first curling coach.  Rarely do you see someone whose passion and dedication wears off on others.  He took a bunch of young small town misfits and created a safe and fun environment for them to be in.  If ever I needed him, he was there, even after I became a coach myself.  Terry is the one person who set me on my amazing journey in curling.  And for that I will be eternally grateful.  The curling world has lost a great person and coach.  I have lost my friend and mentor!!  Terry will never be forgotten and his memory is etched inside me forever.”

He is survived by his daughter Rianne (Jaimy Maximick) and granddaughter Emileigh, his son Jarret (Sandra Tom) and grandson Marco and granddaughter Katelynn, and his daughter Terri (TJ Perepolkin) and granddaughters Hana and Paige. He is also survived by his mother Janet Bublitz, and siblings Heather McQuiggan (Mike Beetstra), Wayne (Bonnie Hamilton), Pam, and his seven nieces and nephews and their families. He will be missed by his beloved dogs Nikki and Moonpie. He was predeceased by his father Jack Bublitz.

A celebration of Terry’s life will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2019 at the Trail Curling Rink from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm.

The family would like to give special thanks to the RCMP and Emergency Responders, the staff at the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital, Hospice, friends and neighbours, and to Bill and Tracy at Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services.

As an expression of sympathy, donations in Terry’s name may be made to the Trail Junior Curling Club, PO Box 88, Trail, BC, V1R 1L3 or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation at 4 – 1551 Sutherland Avenue, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 9M9 or online at www.heartandstroke.bc.ca