Henry Tiernan (Hank) passed away while surrounded by family on July 10, 2016 at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre in Thunder Bay, Ontario at the age of 74 due to complications from a stroke.
Born on July 19, 1941 in Ste. Rose du Lac, Manitoba, he spent most of his youth in Salmon Arm, British Columbia.
Henry was predeceased by his father, William Tiernan and his mother, Cecile Tiernan (Gaudry) of Salmon Arm, British Columbia. Henry leaves behind his beloved daughters: Colleen Tiernan-Cerqueira (Victor) and Megan Tiernan (Roy), brothers: Louis Tiernan (Sandra), Neil Tiernan (Pearl), Richard Tiernan (Audra), sisters: Sheila Tiernan (Ken) and Celia Smith (Larry), grandchildren Braeden and Kian (Colleen), and Arley and Jessie (Megan), and many much loved nephews and nieces.
Henry joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1958 at age 17 and served as a firefighter while living in various places across Canada and Europe. He attained the rank of Warrant Officer, retiring in 1986. Henry loved to tell stories of his military adventures working on air craft carriers and running training exercises. Henry eventually became a teacher and instructor before joining the Office of the Fire Marshall where he worked in Wawa and Thunder Bay until his retirement in 2003.
Henry enjoyed gardening and had quite the green thumb. He was also a fantastic cook and wonderful baker who had people stealing his buns from each other at family get togethers. Henry also enjoyed researching his ancestry and was very proud of his Metis and Irish heritage. Henry never passed up an opportunity to passionately discuss politics or flirt with the ladies around town. Henry was affectionately known as an animal whisperer as animals were always drawn to him, he will be greatly missed by his gran-dog Lui and met in heaven by his other dogs and cats.
Many thanks to the nurses of 3B and Amy with palliative care, your kindness and compassion during Henry’s last hours will be forever in our hearts. Also many thanks so the stroke team in emerge who worked diligently and efficiently and to the nurses in ICU, we are so grateful for the wonderful care you provided.
A private service will be held for the family. Donations can be made in Henry’s memory to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Northern Dog Rescue, or the Liberal Party of Canada.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Westfort Chapel, 420 West Gore Street, Thunder Bay, Ontario. Please sign the online condolences at everestofthunderbay.com