Terrence (Terry) Aidan Farr

Terrence (Terry) Aidan Farr was born in Toronto, Ontario on Aug 3, 1928, where he was raised and subsequently sworn in at 18 years of age, as a Special constable with the RCMP at O Div. Headquarters on 17 February 1947. He commenced Part I training at N Division in Rockcliffe, and was temporarily posted to the field before continuing Part II training at Depot Division in Regina, Saskatchewan.

Following graduation from Depot, he was posted to F Division (SK), where he would spend his next nineteen years of service. His first posting was to Weyburn Detachment, where he met a beautiful young nurse, Esther Sophia Louise Brooks. She would eventually become a very important part of his life and career in the Force. Before that however, young Terry would be subject to many transfers (nine different locations in his first five years). During that time, Esther left the province to expand and enhance her nursing career in Montreal and British Columbia. They had a long distance relationship.

From Weyburn Terry would go on as a young, single Constable, to work at a number of Detachments including: Radville, Kipling, Broadview, Indian Head, Regina Town Station, Fort Qu’Appelle, Bengough, Fillmore. In 1952, when Terry’s five years were up, Esther, flew home from B.C., to her hometown of Saskatoon, where they were married. On returning from their honeymoon, the finally married couple settled into married life in Regina, where their first two children, Terren and Lesleigh were born and baptized in the little Chapel on the Square, at Depot Division. The youngest, Vanessa was born where her mother and father had first met and their first transfer as a family, back to Weyburn. The second family transfer took the family of five back to Regina, where Terry got his received his Sergeant’s stripes. In the early sixties the family was posted to North Battleford where Terry was promoted to Staff Sergeant.

In 1966, Terry was commissioned to the rank of Sub/Inspector and the family of five was on the move again. But this time, they were heading much further west, to the province of British Columbia. The family arrived in Victoria where Terry was posted to E Division Headquarters as the Assistant Personnel Officer. Two years later in 1968, was promoted to the rank of Inspector. In 1971 he was then, the Assistant Staffing Officer and in that same year the family was once again in transit. This time they were heading home to Saskatchewan, back to North Battleford, where Terry became the Officer Commanding, North Battleford Sub/Division.

Just two years later, in 1973, the family transferred once again, this time to the other side of the country, NFLD, B Division, where Terry was promoted to Superintendent, as the Officer Commanding, St. John’s Subdivision. In 1975 he became the Divisional Administration & Personnel Officer and one year later was appointed the Commanding Officer of “B” Division, NFLD and Labrador, with rank of Chief Superintendent. In 1979 the family was back on the road again, returning all the way back to Victoria, where Terry became the Commanding Officer of District 2 – E Division. In 1981 he was promoted to Assistant Commissioner and in 1982, with 35 years of service to country and community, Terry & Esther retired in Victoria.

Both Terry and Esther remained active in retirement, Esther an avid walker, put on many miles and Terry continued his life of service by remaining active and engaged with the RCMP Officers Association, RCMP Veterans Association, Member of the Corp. of Commissionaires, a Life Member Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, with RUSI of Vancouver Island, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 31, the Victoria Branch of the St. John Ambulance Assn. He was also a member of the Masonic Order and a Life Member of the Wa-Wa Temple Shrine, a Charter Member of the Brentwood Bay Rotary Club and was awarded their Paul Harris Fellowship Award. Terry also volunteered at the Victoria Prostate Cancer Center.

Terry served his country and communities, with dignity, integrity and compassion. A professional, accomplished, law enforcement officer, and a leader who was respected by his peers, associates, colleagues and friends alike. He passed suddenly on April 8th, 2008, leaving behind his wife and partner, Esther, whom he adored and his three girls and grandson whom he cherished.

Terry Aidan Farr. honourably served his country and community with pride: He is a true Pillar of the Force.