“Once met, never forgotten” – a well-known Penrith man who spent his later years caring for the vulnerable has died, aged 64.
Terence Hodgson, known as Terry, was born in 1956 at Penrith Cottage Hospital to Annie and Tot.
Growing up with five sisters he was the apple of his father’s eye and spoiled rotten.
He was the first in his family to pass his 11-Plus exam and attended Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Penrith where he excelled at maths.
In his youth he would often cycle to Lazonby from Penrith and swim all day in the pool before cycling home.
After leaving school he had a varied career working a number of jobs including as a plumber, lorry driver, transport manager, courier, retail manager, landscape gardener and in motorway maintenance.
It was quite a change then when, in 2011, he became a carer working with vulnerable, underprivileged and disabled people.
Given sparkling reviews by his clients, Terry took pride in improving people’s quality of life any way he could, even if it was just spending time with them.
His wife Dennize said: “He was a typical Northerner, very caring but he didn’t show it openly.”
It was working on a pipeline near Aylesbury in 1977 that he first met Dennize.
An unorthodox first encounter, Dennize and her friend were flashed by a man while shopping.
Her friend leapt into the road and stopped the car that Terry was driving so he could take them home.
While dropping Dennize off, Terry asked if he could see her again and not long afterwards, they got together.
They were married in 1980 in Penrith and then moved to Hemel Hemstead where they lived until returning to Penrith in 2006 via Rochdale.
By 1982 they had two children, Tom and Michelle.
Beyond his family, his other love was football, and in particular Manchester United.
Having played for a number of teams throughout his life he could often be found taking part in up to three matches every weekend.
At one point Terry had four season tickets to Old Trafford and when he moved back to Penrith he joined the local supporters’ club.
He also owned an impressive collection of memorabilia that filled his basement, including scrap books that he had been adding to since he was a child.
In his later years, Terry enjoyed travelling to warm destinations to take advantage of the sun. These included Turkey, Egypt and Dubai.
Even when choosing his burial place, his family made sure to find a sunny spot without any shade.
Terry is survived by Dennize, and two children, Tom and Michelle.
Arrangements were in the hands of Richardsons Funeral Directors, of Penrith, with a service at Penrith Cricket Club.
Donations in memory of Terry can be sent to Richardsons funeral directors, Penrith, or directly to the Injured Jockeys Fund.
