Terrance Eugene Bottila, 78, of Crystal River, Florida, passed away within a few short weeks of an advanced cancer diagnosis.  He was born on July 2, 1946 in Cloquet to Hjalmer and Laina (Irene) Bottila. 

Terry was preceded in death by his parents; two children, Corrine and Shawn Bottila; two siblings, Delbert Bottila and Delmarie Engmark.  He is survived by his significant other, Mimi Mattila; granddaughter, Ashley (Tim) Battaglia; two great grandchildren, Paxton and Haizley Battaglia; and 5 siblings, Roger Bottila, Jeanette Wennberg, Sharon (Rodney) Juntunen, Steven (Darlene) Bottila and Stuart Bottila; and many nieces and nephews. 

Terry graduated from Esko high school in 1964 and earned his electrician credentials shortly thereafter. He then worked at Northwest Paper Company in Cloquet and retired from Potlatch in 2002, after 38 years, where he displayed a strong work ethic and earned a reputation as a valued and productive worker.

This work ethic threaded through Terry’s personal and family life, his constant attention devoted to the well-being of those he loved.

In retirement, Terry moved to Crystal River, FL to golf and enjoy his retirement with his significant other, Mimi. He was an avid golfer, loved the game and lived within a short golf-cart ride to his favorite course. The Hole-in-One he once scored was a point of pride and a brag-worthy topic he’d cheekily remind friends and fellow golfers of when the opportunity arose. His affection for the game transcended generations and he proudly (patiently!) spent many backyard hours teaching his granddaughter Ashley how to strike a golf ball.

Deeply proud and embracing of his Finnish heritage, Terry loved to sauna. While living in Florida, with 90 degree heat and oppressive humidity, he’d sauna regularly, much to the bewildered amazement of his Floridian neighbors.

Terry liked physical activity and loved biking—he biked the equivalent of circumnavigating the globe, twice. Until his final weeks, he maintained his physical routine and was decidedly “in shape.”  Tuned to his body, it was his failing physicality that initially alerted him to the presence of cancer.

Until his last breath, Terry lived with those he loved close to his heart, including his love for his significant other, Mimi, his granddaughter, Ashley and son and daughter, Shawn and Corrine—their premature passing cutting a crease through his heart that never fully healed.

It is comforting to know he is with them now and that the arc of influence Terry’s life represented is carried forward in the memories of those left missing him.

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