Terrence Michael Dennin, 74, died of natural causes at his home, the Grand Prix Motel in Keeseville, on Oct. 26, 2023.

“Terry,” fondly known as the Wiz, was born on Feb. 1, 1949, the son of Helen (Smith) Dennin and Frederick Stephen Dennin.

He is survived by his wife, Silvia Marina Vidal Dayan, of Montreal; his daughter Regan Eldridge of Auburn, Maine; four siblings, Kathleen Ruth Dennin, of Yonkers, Frederick Stephen Dennin (Anne Dennin) of New York City, Gregory Moore Dennin (Peggy Dennin) of Lake Placid, and Richard James Dennin (Michelle Boyer) of Framingham, Massachusetts; seven nieces and nephew; three stepchildren; and five step-grandchildren.

Terry was raised in the idyllic Hillcrest Park area of Lake Placid amidst a group of close-knit families where children ran wild and free. He was part of the original class of St. Agnes School, played tennis at the St. Moritz Courts across from his childhood home, competed with the legendary Lake Placid Junior Jumpers and capped off childhood scouting adventures by becoming an Eagle Scout.

Terry rode the tumultuous 1960s with his mischievous, rebellious but always fun gang. He graduated from Northwood School in 1967, attended Fordham University and received a BA from Plattsburgh State University. Following a time working in the hospitality industry in New York City, Terry managed the popular Spot Restaurant in Lake Placid with side ventures including an infamous Bo Diddley concert in Plattsburgh.

By the early 1970s, he was headed West, where he explored both Arizona and Alaska before settling down for close to 20 years in San Francisco. He knew the City by the Bay well, drove a cab and hosted countless visitors over the years, along with his longtime companion at the time, Bonnie Cohen, who died in 2006.

Terry returned to the Adirondacks in 2007, taking over management of the Grand Prix, where he embraced the role of providing guidance and support to the diverse and eclectic Grand Prix family.

Terry enjoyed cooking (smoked pork and barbecue were his specialties) and genuine, down-to-earth rock and roll — the louder the better. He attended many a concert over the years, from legendary shows at New York’s Fillmore East to the Pogues at Roseland Ballroom with his nephew James, 70th birthday front-row seats to the Who at Fenway Park with brother Dick, and an “outlaw cruise” featuring his favorite, Lucinda Williams.

Over the past decade, Marina opened up and graced Terry’s life as they traveled the globe together, from Paris to South Korea and her home, Argentina, where he spent time with family and an extended circle of friends.

A celebration of Terry’s life will take place on Saturday, Nov. 11 at Gigi’s on the River in Keeseville from 2 to 5 p.m. with tributes and toast scheduled for 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made in Terry’s memory to Planned Parenthood or Doctors Without Borders.