"Terry helped me and my son when his mom died and I was going to stage III cancer treatment he looked out for my 10-year-old and I owe him a lot"
In loving memory of
Terrence Anastas
October 25, 1958 - June 25, 2020
Terrence J, "Terry" Anastas, of Quincy, died unexpectedly Thursday, June 25 while on vacation with family in Virginia. Terry was born October 25, 1958 in Quincy, the fifth of seven children born to Mary Elizabeth Bailey Anastas and the late Frederick William Anastas. He spent the first few years of his life on a farm - with no running water - near Woodland, Missouri. Shortly thereafter, the family moved to Quincy, where Terry attended St. Francis Grade School. Afterwards, he attended Quincy Junior and Senior High Schools, where he played football and wrestled. He graduated in 1976.
In 1980, Terry graduated from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. He received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1983. Terry practiced law with Keefe, Gorman and Brennan from 1983 to 1994. He also worked as a public servant during that time, first as an Adams County Public Defender from 1984-1985 and then as Assistant States Attorney from 1985-1995. Since 1995, he worked at Mays, Walden & Anastas. His work ethic was incredible throughout his entire career and personal life, starting with being a paper boy in grade school, digging graves, and mowing grass for the Quincy Park District. He was a "do it yourself" handyman and faithfully restored and maintained his historic home.
Terry was a man of integrity. He believed in using the gifts God gave him to take care of himself and his family (so no one else has to); to take care of others who cannot care for themselves, and to give back to his community.
Terry was a past President of the Adams County Bar Association and a member of the Illinois Supreme Court Character and Fitness Committee. He enjoyed serving in the Rotary Club where he was a board member, Paul Harris Fellow and an eager participant in the club's sand volleyball, wallyball, kickball, and pickleball fitness activities. He was a past President of both the Transitions Board of Directors and the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Western Illinois, where he was also a Big Brother to several youth. He served on the boards of Friends of the Trails, the Quincy Park Foundation and the YMCA. He was a former Commissioner of the Quincy Park Board and served as Park District Attorney. He was also instrumental in establishing and developing Gardner Camp, which promotes outdoor recreational and educational activities in the Mississippi River bottoms near the Village of Hull in Pike County, IL.
He was a Quinsippi Soccer League coach and Assistant Scout Master for Madison Park Christian Church's Troop 56, where both of his sons earned the rank of Eagle Scout.
He played handball with a great group of guys on his lunch hour and enjoyed annual "Band of Brothers" Ski Trips and annual "BK Adventure" weekends with high school friends.
Terry is survived by his wife and high school sweetheart, Kathy Baker Anastas, and two children Nathan (Ashley Petty) of Decatur, IL and Nicholas (Kristen Giambusso) of Boston, MA. Terry and Kathy were married in 1980 at Salem Church in Quincy. Together they enjoyed many traveling adventures with friends and family, and were still crazy about each other after all these years. He said his most important endeavor was raising his family, and he was a loving, devoted husband and father. He is also survived by his mother of Quincy, brothers Kevin (Kathie) of Bumpass, VA, Mark (Jeane) of Portland, OR, Fred (Velvet Darnell) of Quincy, and Chuck (Debbie) of Mooresville, NC, and sisters Cathy Schmitt (Richard) and Brenda Koch (Dave) of Quincy. He admired and respected his mother who raised seven children on her own after the early death of her husband. He is also survived by his Mother-in-Law, Dorothy Baker, and a brother and sister-in-law, Steve and Lynda Baker - all of Quincy - as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A private memorial service for family will be held at the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home with Pastor Chuck Sackett officiating.
Terry's ultimate hobby was bike riding. Friends are encouraged to participate in Quincy's Friends of the Trails Ultimate Ride fundraiser on Saturday, July 11 which will include a ride in Terry's memory. The ride begins and ends at The Dock. A celebration of his life will coincide with the cookout and entertainment of the fundraiser. Terry's family looks forward to seeing you there. Register at www.friendsofthetrails.org.
And to this the family can only add: "Well done, good and faithful servant." We are so grateful.
To attend the service for Terry Anastas remotely, please join us on Wednesday, July 1, 2020 at 11:00 am Central Time using this link: https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/9259060
Memorials: Friends of the Trails or the Pin Oak Foundation for the benefit of Gardner Camp
Record a Video Message and Send Hugs to the family using this link:
Send Hugs for Terrence "Terry" Anastas
www.hansenspear.com
Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.
Tributes
"Kathy and the Anastas sons, I have many fond memories of Terry, both in the courtroom and outside in the community. My sincere condolences on your loss and may Terry Rest in Peace in Heaven. I did not ride on the Memorial Trail ride, but Kate and I have walked it and what a great legacy and testament to his efforts. God Bless. Mark Schuering"
"Kathy, I am sorry to hear of Terry's passing. He was a great friend. I remember that my mom, Barb, was a friend of his mom. I always enjoyed hanging out with him since our days in high school. I remember him being one of the smartest and most fun guys in high school. He always had a big laugh. I often called him for legal advice over the years when Quincy people called me. I remember playing handball and pickelball with him. He will be greatly missed. Love, Patrick Curran"
"To the family, I want to pass on my condolences. Terry was one of the earliest influencers in my passion for soccer. He was a great coach and person, and that I will be forever grateful for what he did for me early in my life. Bless you and your family. Luke Greenwell"
"Dearest Kathy, My heart breaks for you in your loss. Terry was a man of integrity and so full of life! As I watched all the memories in picture of Terry?s life, I thought how fortunate you were to call him ?husband?. My prayers and love to you, your mom and your sons and daughter-in-laws as you face the days ahead."
"Kathy and Family ... we are so sorry for your sudden loss of a great husband, dad, son, brother, lawyer, community stalwart and our pickleball friend. We did not know and were shocked to see this only today. May God hold you all in his arms and we know Terry is with God in Heaven. Our sincere condolences. "
"Kathy, I am so sorry for the tremendous loss you and your family are suffering. Please know that many, many people have you in their hearts and are there to support you all in the difficult days ahead. Laurie DeMont"
"To all the Anastas Family, we are so sorry for your loss. Terry led a full life and will definitely be missed by so many. We only had the pleasure of meeting him once on a biking trip but he was so full of vim and vigor and was definitely a most interesting conversationalist. The wonderful photo collage says it all. He is most definitely beaming down with enormous pride on his family."
"We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Kathy and all the Anastas family you have our condolences. Being a life time friend. Terry helped us out numerous times with his professional help through the years! I'll miss our greeting when we'd see each other in a store or be out and about! He'd say hi Terry and I would say hi Terry! Then he'd give me that big smile of his! I'll miss that for sure, and will never forget it! Terry and Lori Wensing"
"We are so sorry for your loss and you have our condolences. Terry was a great guy and a long time friend! He helped us out many times and will be dearly missed! That big smile, we'll never forget! Terry and Lori Wensing"
"Condolences to your family on this sudden loss, continued prayers for the family."
"Our condolences! We feel for the loss in your family. Thoughts and prayers for all. Jim and Rosemary Painter"
"I am so sorry for your loss. I graduated with him. He was a super good guy. Helped me and my family alot in the past. "
"Sending our condolences and love to your family. We are so sorry for this immeasurable loss in your life and the void of such a good man leaving the world... and at the same time incredibly thankful for his life so well lived and sure that it is heaven?s gain. The obituary was a beautiful and inspiring tribute. From seeing the supportive father Terry was through our school days to benefiting from his professional skills and wisdom in our adult life as he handled the legal side of quite a few personal endeavors, it was a privilege to know Terry. We are praying for your family during this difficult time, that God would give you comfort, and peace, and the hope of eternity found in knowing Jesus as Savior. God bless you."
"Kathy and family, I am so sorry to learn of Terry's passing! Hold tight on to your wonderful memories! Be consoled by the many speaking so highly of him! Prayers for you all...."
"Kathy, I am so sorry for your loss. I highly respected Terry and he will be missed by many. Roger Leenerts"
"Kathy, I can't tell you how stunned and sorry we are here in CT for you and your family. You and Terry really made Quincy a gathering place over the years for our family. Terry was a life well lived, and he will not be forgotten. We will be watching the service today, and adding Terry and you and your sons to our continuing thoughts and prayers. Sheila Anastas and Larry Garstka "
"Your family is in our prayers"
"I had the pleasure of living across the street from Kathy & Terry for 10 years. To say that I was shocked by the news of Terry's passing, is an understatement. He was indeed a great guy. His family and the community is the poorer from this loss."
"Kathy - So sorry to hear of Terry's passing. His was a life well lived. May the love you cherished, family you shared, and memories you created sustain you."
"Prayers are with you and family after your shocking loss of such a great person. Curtis Fauble"
"So sorry to hear the news of Terry. You and the entire family are in my prayers as you make plans for the future. May God be with you. Barb Edwards"
"Deepest sympathies from the Scholz family. Terry was a great lawyer,father and a true gentleman. He will be greatly missed not only by the legal community but by the entire community as well."
"Mary, Fred and Family - I am sorry for your loss - I wish you peace"
"Gary and I were saddened to learn of Terry's passing. I loved being in the Rotary with him and working on community projects. Always enjoyed his smile and enthusiasm for life. We are sending prayers to you and your family. Our thought are with you all. Gary and Sherry Sparks"
"So very sorry to hear this news, Terry was a wonderful kind person very happy and helpful he will be missed by all who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this extremely emotional time. Mark and Jannel Vonder Haar "
"Kathy, my entire families thoughts and prayers are with you and yours in this time of grief. I'm just shocked. Be assured that Terry will always be looking out for you, by your side and in your heart always, My thoughts are of you."
"Kathy... my heart is breaking for you and your family. Sending love and hugs and comfort to you and your wonderful family.??"
"Kathy, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. Fred and I were so sad to hear the news of Terry?s passing. May God grant you comfort and peace."
"Dear Kathy family and Dorothy Baker I am saddened to know of Terry?s passing. What a wonderful man who leaves a legacy public service! God?s Blessings and Best wishes. "
"So sorry to hear this. Will be glad to be part of the ride in his honor. Laura Sievert - Arts Quincy "
"Kathy, I was so sorry to hear about Terry. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Hopefully, in time, your memories of Terry will outweigh the pain of losing him. "
"Dear Kathy, it?s been a long while since we?ve seen each other but I wanted to express my sorrow over the news of Terry?s passing I remember him as being such a great guy. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family and my heart joins yours in celebrating his wonderful life. Shelli Thompson Panicucci"
"Dear Kathy and family, This news is heartbreaking. Terry was a fantastic cousin. His generosity of spirit and love of family was an example for us all. I am grateful for all the joy you and your family has shared with us over the years and am so sorry for your loss. Love all of you so very much. "
"Dear Kathy and family, I can't express how extremely sad I am about the loss of Terry. He was a great guy. Another gone way too soon. I will cherish the memories I have of him. I wish I could take the pain of loss away for you. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Love you all.."
"Kathy I can?t put into words of my sadness I fell after hearing about Terry, I can only may God bless you and your family at this sad time."
"Kathy, prayers for your family. So sorry to hear about Terry, May you find comfort in our Heavenly Father."
"Kathy and family, i am so sorry to hear about Terry. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers through this awful time. "
"Kathy and family - my heartfelt and deepest sympathies to you all; Terry was a wonderful man, who made such a positive impact on all that knew him. His presence in the community and in his involvement in activities and causes that meant so much to him, including Rotary, will be missed greatly. My prayers for you all as you go through this difficult time."
"My condolences Kathy. Terry was a great man! RIP Terry! Gone to soon. Praying for your family ?"
"Dearest Kathy, I am so sorry To hear about Terry. You two were very blessed to have each other. I?m holding you in my heart. Please know that I?m thinking of you and your family through this awful time. He was a good guy."
"Kathy & family, I was so sorry to hear of your loss. Terry was always very nice to me & I am praying for all of you. "
"Kathy, and family, and close friends. Our hearts goes out to y'all. Know that thoughts and prayers surround you. That is all I can think to say right now (shock) to try to ease your pain. We feel blessed to have crossed paths w/Terry and known such a great man. You have a forever friend in me, Kathy... Pam and Chuck Laaker"
"I understand this is a hard time, even I can?t still believe it. But, with that being said I?ve been trying to remember the fun and good times with Terry. Some of my best memories of Quincy are of family gatherings with everyone there including Terry. And I always liked asking him questions and having him give his simple yet amazing answers. He always found a way to see the good in a situation no matter how bad it was. And growing up Terry and his brothers were definitely good role models for me and my brother to look up to. Honestly if it wasn?t for them I probably wouldn?t be in a decent position today. I didn?t know him as well as the other Anastas family but, I still hurt with this loss. Know this that I am willing to help out in whatever way I can. ?Evan Anastas"