Alexander (Whitey) Terick Jr., 96, of Franklin, NC, passed away December 16, 2024 and has now been reunited with his beloved Regina (Kasper) Terick after only three short months apart, predeceasing him on September 13, 2024. They have been inseparable since childhood, so it only seemed fitting to include a photo of them together.

Whitey was born in Great Meadows, NJ on August 3, 1928, to the late Stephanie and Alexander Terick, Sr. Both of his parents emigrated from Poland when they were children.

Whitey was an industrious fellow and always on the move. Even as a child, he earned money harvesting honey from his family’s beehives or trapping and selling animal pelts. In the summer months, before he was 13 years old, he worked on the Great Meadows muckland harvesting vegetables. He learned to be a mechanic at an early age and drove trucks when he was in high school hauling produce to New York state. Regina joked that while in class, Whitey couldn’t wait for the announcement he was needed to go drive the truck (he wasn’t exactly the studious type).

On October 8,1949, he married Regina at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Hackettstown, NJ. Soon after, he was called to serve in the United States Army during the Korean War. Entering as a private in 1952, he was soon promoted to sergeant and managed the motor pool before returning home in In 1955, he opened and operated Whitey’s Esso Servicenter in Great Meadows, New Jersey, while also serving as a member of the Independence Township Volunteer Fire Department. After selling the gas station, he sold real estate and worked for New Jersey Power and Light. While on the job reading electric meters, he would find cars for sale, buy and clean them up and resell them to earn a few extra dollars.

It was Whitey’s dream to move to a warmer climate and invest in a business opportunity. In 1979, after the children were grown, Whitey and Regina decided to take a risk and leave their hometown and extended family to invest in Hidden Valley Mobile Home Park in Orlando, Florida near Walt Disney World. With arduous work and much dedication together, they transformed Hidden Valley into one of the most desirable retirement communities in central Florida. Upon retirement they became snowbirds and split their time between Orlando, FL, later The Villages, FL and Franklin, NC. Eventually, growing health concerns led them to move full time to Raleigh, NC to be closer to additional family for assistance. It was a difficult move away from their cherished mountain home.

Whitey was strong-willed and tenacious, with a sly humor. What family will remember most about Whitey, was his strong work ethic and constant drive to get things done as well as his desire to help his family, friends and neighbors whenever possible. Alongside Regina, he enjoyed golf, playing cards, Polka dancing, listening to music, traveling, feeding and watching the wildlife that came to visit his mountain home. He was constantly fixing things and very creative. For several years he created beautiful stained- glass pieces including lamp shades. He loved yard work, including trimming and cutting down trees much to the dismay of some family members. There wasn’t a tree that was safe if Whitey was around.

He deeply loved his family, especially the love of his life, Regina. Together they developed long lasting friendships wherever they went. Whitey was quick to offer a cocktail to welcome visitors and they knew no strangers. They will both be remembered for the joy and laughter that filled their home and their profound love of family.

The loss of both Whitey and Regina in such a short period of time was devastating but their legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of all their family. They cherished Polish family traditions. They often expressed their wish for the family to maintain those traditions and always stay together.

Whitey was a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great- grandfather. He loved being “Gaddi” to his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Whitey is predeceased by his loving wife of 74 years, Regina; and his sister Agnes Zschunke. He is survived by: siblings, Helen Baldwin, Anna Mae Vaia, and Paul Terick; son, Pat Terick and wife, Judy, of Augusta, KS; daughters Diana Rankin and husband, Larry, of Franklin, NC, and Regina Yaros and husband, Kent, of Lee’s Summit, MO; grandchildren: Megan Vittitow (Jeremy), Joe Terick (Brooke), Teran Wilkins (JJ), Paige Hebda (Daniel), Rachel Yaros, and Joshua Yaros; great grandchildren: Samuel, Cecilia, Lucia, Simmone, Lydia, Levi, Alex, Brielle, Aiden, Grant, Nora, Elliott, Madison and Emma. The family will hold a Celebration of Life in Great Meadows, New Jersey at a later date.

In Whitey’s name, memorials have been established with Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation and Lone Jack Special Olympics. Please indicate “In memory of Alex (Whitey) Terick.” Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation (CPRF), P.O. Box 8217, Wichita, Kansas 67208-0217 or www.cprf.org and Lone Jack Special Olympics – Mail to: Special Olympics, 9150 East 41 st  Terrace, Suite 213, Kansas City, Missouri 64133.