Herman Joseph Terzino, a prominent local architect and a resident of La Porte for almost 60 years, died on April 17, 2011 at La Porte Hospital at age 89.
Herman was born in Easton, Pennsylvania on March 9, 1922 to Michael and Lucy (Tranquilla) Terzino, émigrés from the Abruzzo region of Italy. His parents, his brother Anthony, his sister Gloria and Herman spoke Italian as their first language.
Herman graduated from Easton High School in 1940 and entered the U.S. Army on December 22, 1942. He served honorably with the "Tough 'Ombres" of the 90th Infantry Division in Western Europe during World War II, and was awarded a Silver Star and a Bronze Star.
After his military service, Herman attended Catholic University in Washington, D.C., graduating in 1950 with a degree in architecture. While at the university, he met Nancy Joan Rumely, a La Porte native who was a student at a nearby college. They married on September 22, 1951. He and Nancy moved to La Porte shortly after their marriage.
Herman's wife Nancy passed away on August 22, 1988. Several years later, a mutual friend introduced him to Mary Frances Ullrich, and on December 17, 1995 they were married in La Porte.
With the exception of several years at an architectural firm in Washington DC, Herman pursued his career in architecture at Indiana regional architectural firms, including his own solo practice. While working at Shaver & Co. in Michigan City, Herman became expert in designing large air-supported structures. In the 1970s he was the project manager for the Steve Lacy Fieldhouse at Milligan College in Tennessee, and for the Capitol Centre in Landover, Maryland, a sports and concert venue built as the home arena for the Washington Bullets (now Wizards) basketball team and the Washington Capitals hockey team.
His local architectural legacy includes La Porte Fire Station Nos. 1 and 3; Horizon branch bank; remodeling for the YMCA, First Baptist church, Bethany Lutheran Church, the Newby, Lewis, Kaminski & Jones law firm and a number of other commercial and residential structures; and the award-winning Cutler Funeral Home design. He was proudest, however, of his last design project, the Children's Carillon for the Presbyterian Church of La Porte, dedicated in May 2004.
Herman was also committed to community service, beginning with service on the board of Holy Family Hospital and continuing with The La Porte Hospital Foundation, La Porte's Historic Preservation Commission, and many other civic organizations.
Herman was a prolific doodler. He has written that an early assignment at his first firm involved drawing a rendering of a high-rise housing project in Virginia. The work was tedious, and in a moment of boredom, he drew a couple of mice running around the title block in the lower margin of the sheet. His boss was displeased, but as Herman later wrote, "drawing mice in the margins has always been in my nature."
In the 1970s he began to turn the whimsical drawings he had sketched on cocktail napkins and the backs of envelopes into pen-and-ink drawings. His "Scherzo" took the top prize at a juried art show sponsored by the Dunes Art Foundation, and his drawing "Machine" received an award at the same show in a later year. His family members delight in the Terzino pieces that adorn their walls.
Following his retirement, Herman combined his love of drawing and his interest in politics, beginning a second career as an editorial cartoonist for the La Porte Herald Argus. His cartoon, "Full Moon," appeared in the paper from 2004 to 2010. For a time, Herman's cartoon and his wife Mary's column both ran in the Herald Argus, though on different days.
Herman is survived by his wife, Mary Ullrich Terzino, of La Porte.
Herman and Nancy raised four children, who also survive him: Mary (Gregg Potter) of Midland, Michigan; Michael, of La Porte; John, of La Porte; and Paul (Amy), of Del Mar, California.
He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Elizabeth (Jim) Biernacki, La Porte; Sarah Terzino, Westfield, Indiana; Joshua (Kari) Terzino, Chicago; Jeffrey Terzino, Nashville, Tennessee; Gracie Potter, Midland, Michigan; Ellen Terzino, Del Mar, California; as well as three great-grandchildren; his brother-in-law, Bert Rumely, of New York; daughter-in-law Pam Terzino, of La Porte; close friend Deb Cook; and many loving nieces and nephews. His parents and his brother and sister predeceased him.
Arrangements are under the care of Cutler Funeral Home. Visitation with the family will be held on Sunday, April 24, 2011 from 5 to 8 P.M. with a Rosary Service at 5:00 P.M. and on Monday from 8:30 -9:30 A.M. at Cutler Funeral Home.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Monday, April 25, 2011 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery with Full Military Honors.
The family has suggested that donations be made to St. Joseph's School, Scholorship Fund, 109 C Street, LaPorte, IN 46350 or to The Carillon Fund of the Presbyterian Church, 307 Kingsbury, LaPorte, IN. 46350.
Please sign the online register book at www.cutlerfuneral.com