Terrence R. Wagener

Terrence Richard Wagener, 63, passed away peacefully on August 31, 2023, with his family lovingly by his side.

Born January 15, 1960 to Jacqueline (Taylor) and Thomas R. Wagener Sr, Terry grew up in Maumee, OH with his six siblings along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

In 1984 he married his high school sweetheart, Kim (DeStazio). They were married 39 and a half years. Together they had three children— Tony, Nick, and Kate— of whom he was incredibly proud. He loved attending their sporting events (soccer, basketball, track, and football), musical concerts, and theatre productions to support them. Terry was joyfully “Gah” (Grandpa) to six grandchildren with two more on the way and honored to have his youngest grandson named for him. His grandchildren were his world, always snuggling up with him in his chair, asking to go higher on the big swing, begging to be thrown into the pool, or sneaking cookies with him into the living room. He loved them more than anything.

A 1978 graduate of St. John’s Jesuit, Terry went on to earn his bachelors degree in finance from the University of Toledo and was a lifelong Rockets fan. Right out of high school, Terry went to work for UPS, becoming a Teamster and driving a package truck on his Bowling Green route for many years. Terry earned his UPS Circle of Honor award for 25 years of accident free driving and he retired in June 2023 after 45 years of employment. He was immensely proud to wear the brown uniform and (to the delight of his children) could spout off every address on his route from memory. This was a never-fail party trick.

Terry had an enormous heart and wonderful sense of humor with an easygoing nature all the way to the end. He was loyal and always ready to jump in and help out, whether it was by grabbing a paint brush to cut in the corners, lifting a shovel of dirt to plant new shrubs, offering a bit of advice, or lightening the mood with a classic dad joke. He was interested in all people and had a list of curious questions ready to go for whoever would sit with him.

He was looking forward to the cooler weather this fall so he could sit at his firepit under the pines with a glass of wine. He had recently picked up his Maumee Panthers senior citizen pass and was excited to attend Friday night football games. Terry had varied interests and passions, including red wine, racquetball, gambling at the casino, buying and selling stocks, the movie Shrek, talking politics, putzing around on his lawn mower, gardening, and tending to several butterfly bushes. If you see a butterfly, we are sure it’s him stopping by to say hello.

Terry was preceded in death by his father, Thomas R. Wagener, Sr. He is survived by his wife Kim (DeStazio) and his children Tony (Joy) Wagener, Nick (Mary) Wagener, and Kate (Lucas) Keller as well as his grandchildren: Andy, Emma, Terrence, June, Lucy, and Finnegan. His mother Jacque Wagener and siblings Kathy (Fred) Krout, Karen (John Columber) Graven, Kelly (Rick) Pickard, Tom (Jolyn) Wagener, Jr., Kris (Sean) Murphy, and Kay (Jeff) Bock also survive him.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be given in Terry’s name to the University of Michigan Frankel Cardiovascular Center. Please visit this website: https://victors.us/terrencerwagener

In his last days, Terry received world class care from the blessed hands of the many surgeons, doctors, and nurses at U of M to include Dr. Patel and Dr. Hamilton. Terry’s family extends heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in his complex level of care. The family would also like to thank Terry’s sister-in-law Jolyn Wagener for being their guiding force, medical interpreter, their aunt, their sister, and their world.

Family and friends will be received at the Maison-Dardenne-Walker Funeral Home, 501 Conant St., Maumee on Friday, September 8, from 2:00-8:00 PM. Prayers will begin in the funeral home on Saturday, September 9 at 9:30 AM followed by the funeral Mass at 10:00 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Maumee. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Maumee.