Terry Allan Sebastian

Terry Allan Sebastian, 69, of Sugar Island, Michigan, walked on November 18, 2023, after a valiant battle with cancer. He went peacefully in his home with loved ones by his side just as he wanted to. Terry was born September 16, 1954, in Sault Ste. Marie, MI. He played hockey and ran track during his grade school years, was a member of student council, and earned awards in JROTC. He graduated in 1973 and immediately followed in his father and older brother's footsteps by joining the Army, where he was trained as a field artillery crewman before moving into aerial artillery during Vietnam. He was an expert marksman, earned a meritorious promotion, and was honorably discharged in late 1975 as an SP4. He became a jack of all trades and held jobs at Newport Standard, Berlin Twp Water Dept, Leitz's Sport Center, Montgomery Wards, Bennett's Carpet, Soo Shelter Workshop, Shell Truck Stop, Soo Tribe, Soo Plastics and Interlake Stamping. However, his favorite job and true passion was being a commercial fisherman or as he liked to call it, treaty style fisherman. He was a member of the Sault Tribe and a huge advocate of treaty fishing rights. His hobbies over the years included riding motorcycles, playing softball, reading and history, watching old westerns, camping at powwows, building models and drawing blueprints of things he would later build, taxidermy, welding, playing cards, going to the casino, and sharing his knowledge of so many things with anyone willing to listen and learn. He enjoyed scrapping metal, downing dead trees for firewood, and watching the animals visit his yard. Hisfavorite sight to see were the Eagles that often came to visit near his dock where he would leave them fish offerings whenever he could. Terry was a genuine soul and true friend to all, never met a stranger, stood up for those he felt needed protection, valued common sense and hard work, loved to tell a story or two and was beyond proud of his family. Whenever help was needed, Terry was there, no questions asked. He never complained, hated to be a burden, and spent the last chapter of his life selflessly helping others and preparing things to make it easier for his family to carry on. He was our hero. Terry is survived by his daughter, Haley Sebastian and his grandchildren, Nahni, Izeyah, and Malakai, of Cleveland, TN, his sister, MaryEllen Dillon of Sugar Island, MI, a niece, nephews, and many great nieces and nephews. He was preceeded in death by his wife, Melinda Sebastian (Badder), in 2001, who was the love of his life and he never remarried. He was also preceeded by his parents, Oliver "Duke" Sebastian and Dorothy E. Mendoskin, his older brother George Sebastian, and nephew George Alvin Sebastian. A traditional pipe ceremony was held at Niigaanagiizhik in Sault Sainte Marie, MI on November 22, 2023 at 11am. A memorial luncheon will be held at the Sugar Island Community Center on Saturday, November 25th, 2023 from 1-4pm with a Military Honors Ceremony at 3pm. Thank you to all who have helped with services and support for the family and who share in our heartbreak as we mourn the loss of an incredible man.

Tributes

Terry Allan Sebastian

September 16, 1954 - November 18, 2023