November 8th, 1935 - December 18th, 2023
Tributes are pouring in following the death of Newmarket’s Terry Carter, a man known as much for his kindness as for his contributions to the community and his exhaustive knowledge of the town’s history.
Robert Terence Carter died peacefully on December, 18, 2023 at the age of 88 at Margaret Bahen Hospice, where he had been for a day after a month-long hospital stay.
Daughter Jenn Dennis is just one who is describing her dad as a pillar of the community. “He was definitely the kindest man I ever met. He was honestly a pretty shy guy. He was quiet but always there for you, you know? Just strong and quiet,” she said. “I loved to sit and listen to his stories, his history stories. He was always telling me about early settlers from Newmarket and their trials and tribulations. It was nice to sit and listen to his stories.”
Carter’s death is a great loss to Newmarket, Mayor John Taylor said.
“Terry was a fixture in the town of Newmarket in the best way possible. For decades, Terry contributed to the town of Newmarket through his involvement in the Chamber of Commerce, his local journalism and through his historical writings,” he said.
“Terry’s locally famous ‘Stories of Newmarket’ is our source of the history of Newmarket. Terry was our source of history and now he is an important part of that history. His stories, humour and smiles will be missed by many.”
Central York Chamber of Commerce president, Chris Emanuel, echoed the sentiment, being shared widely on the Newmarket: What’s Happening community Facebook page.
“He was such a kind person,” he said.
“I think you’d be hard pressed to find someone that had a greater passion for this community. He’s literally written the book on Newmarket, telling its history. Terry was a man who was humble but passionate. He did so much for our community.”
Where to begin when sharing Carter’s legacy?
Raised in Newmarket, he was editor of The Newmarket Era from 1968 to 1985 and for many years, wrote a weekly history column for the newspaper.
Renowned for sharing his knowledge of the town’s history, Carter was a mentor to many.
In 1974, he founded the Newmarket Historical Committee, which later became the Newmarket Historical Society.
His love of Newmarket’s history shone through his book, Newmarket: The Heart of York Region.
Carter served as president of the Sharon Temple Museum Society in the early 1990s.
His other achievements included acting as a director of the Persechini Easter Seal Run/Walkathon for more than a decade, serving as general manager of the Newmarket Chamber of Commerce for just under a decade, being a director of the Region of York Red Cross and serving as member of Newmarket’s civic awards committee and the mayor's advisory committee.
Carter was awarded the Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of Canadian Confederation in 1993.
In 2009, he was awarded Lieutenant Governors Ontario Heritage Lifetime Achievement Award.
Carter was named Newmarket’s Citizen of the Year in 1997.
Carter, whose wife Louise died in 2021, is survived by daughter Jenn Dennis and her husband Blake, son Michael and his wife Sherry and grandchildren Brooklyn, Megan and Riley.
His family is making arrangements for a celebration of life.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Carter’s memory to the Margaret Bahen Hospice.
Arrangements entrusted to Roadhouse & Rose Funeral Home