Obituary of Terry C. Buhrows

Terry C. Buhrows, aged 87, passed away peacefully on September 16, 2025 at hospice in Kitchener after a long illness.

Born in Walkerton, Ontario to parents Charles and Vera (née Dodd), and with his childhood years spent in the nearby village of Clifford, Terry began expressing his passion for the beauty of the natural world through art from an early age. His watercolour paintings and photography have been on display in galleries throughout Ontario, with pieces in private collections across the globe, including various commissions. Known for his softly dramatic skies and landscapes as well as his ability to capture the nostalgic romance of heritage architecture, his work has delighted so many. He was a life member of the KW Society of Artists.

As a teacher with the Waterloo County Board of Education for 34 years, Terry taught a range of subjects, with his final years of teaching exclusively dedicated to art instruction. He instilled an appreciation of art in the thousands of students he taught, and for decades following his retirement, virtually every time he went to a restaurant or to run errands, Terry would receive enthusiastic “Mr. Buhrows!” greetings from former students wanting to express their gratitude for the positive impacts of his teaching. Over the course of his career, he also coached hockey and soccer, designed sets for countless school theatre productions, and served as an art consultant.

Terry was also an avid gardener, whose eco-friendly landscape designs garnered “Communities in Bloom” awards. In his younger years, he enjoyed hiking the Bruce Trail, camping in the provincial and national parks of Ontario, cross-country and downhill skiing, and canoeing.

A devoted husband of 64 years to wife Mary Lou (née Weiler), and a doting father to Todd Buhrows (Susan Wise), Tracy Buhrows Leach (Bill Leach), and LouAnn Buhrows (Ken Steggles), Terry also welcomed with joy four grandchildren – Charles, Christopher, Ash, and Liam – who greatly miss their Grampa and Poppa. He also leaves behind his dear brother, Peter, sister-in-law Judy, nephew Peter, nieces Lisa and Sherrie, great-nieces Madison, Katie and Andie, and great-nephew Beckett. He will also be sadly missed by sisters-in-law Patricia and Nancy, and nieces Debbie, Penny, Kim, Aimee, Jan, Robin and Krista, and nephew Adam.

Special thanks to the many caregivers from ParaMed, CareKW, and Nurse Next Door who supported the family in being able to care for Terry in the home, as well as the compassionate and dedicated team at the Waterloo Regional Health Network - Chicopee (formerly Freeport) palliative care unit, who helped to make his final days calm and peaceful, with daily trips to the courtyard garden.

A celebration of Terry’s life will be held at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S, Waterloo, on Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Condolences for the family or donations to the Alzheimer Society Waterloo Wellington would be appreciated and may be arranged through the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.