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Community Corner

Community Rallies after Family's Loss of Husband and Father

Fundraising website set up for the recently widowed mom and her two kids.

Friends of Naka Terry are stepping up with the Julian Terry Memorial Fund for the Los Gatos mother and her two children after they lost husband and father Julian, 47, to cancer in July.

"This is truly a family in need," said friend Kathleen Hoshimi. "Julian did not have life insurance due to a pre-existing condition. We want to make sure they have enough funds to live on and pay their mortgage until Naka is employed and can support the family."

Taiju, 12, and Caroline, who will celebrate her 11th birthday next week, attend Raymond J. Fisher Middle School.

Julian was originally from England, and Naka from Japan. So for the two children, not only did they lose a parent at a young age, the Terrys have no family in the U.S., friends said. 

"Fortunately for Caroline and Taiju, their mother, Naka’s, amazing resilience and strength, despite her own grief and loss, is a wonderful example and inspiration that life carries on," Hoshimi said.

Two weeks ago, Naka passed an entrance exam and soon will start school to earn her credential in medical billing, she added.  "The program will take nine months to complete, and once finished will allow Naka to start a second career and support her family."

"Julian was hardworking in the extreme, deeply loyal to family and friends, gentle in his manner and approach to life, highly amusing with a quirky sense of humor, and uncomplaining and brave in adversity,"  Hoshimi wrote on the web site.

"His doctors at Stanford described him as the 'most gracious and polite' patient they have ever treated."

Community supporters launched the fundraising blog with a goal of $50,000 to allow contributions, no matter the amount, reach the family in need.

"Obviously, no amount of money can replace the loss of a father at the age of 10 and 12, and the partner you were to spend the rest of your life with," Hoshimi writes, "but it will definitely help the Terry family to rebuild their lives and see a future."

To read more about Julian Terry's heroic fight against his illness and the family, click here.

And for donations, Hoshimi summed: "Any amount will help." 


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