Obituary of Terry Francis Tessena

Smethport- Terry Francis Tessena, 65, of Marion, Mississippi, died Friday (May 4, 2012) in the Rush Hospital, Meridian, Mississippi. He was born Aug. 31, 1946 in Olean, NY, a son of Myron and Ameliann McKeirnan Tessena. On June 28, 2002, in Marion County, AL, he married Janice L. Hyde, who died January 30, 2009. Mr. Tessena was a 1964 graduate of Smethport High School and attended the University of Pittsburgh, Bradford for undergraduate work and St. Bonaventure University where he obtained a Master's Degree in Psychology. One achievement he was very proud of was winning the 1988 Outstanding Student in Higher Education award given by the Pennsylvania Association for Adult Continuing Education (PAACE). He was a Staff Sgt. in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving during Vietnam from 1964 to 1978. Mr. Tessena was a Licensed Professional Counselor employed by Hope Village for Children of Meridian, MS. He had also taught at St. Bonaventure University in the past. He was a member of VFW, the American Legion, the Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club, and enjoyed hunting, fishing and riding motorcycles. He is survived by: four sons:, Terry (Patty) Tessena of Amesville, VA, Bruce (Stacy) Tessena of Medina, OH, Jason (Christy) Tessena of Bradford, and Rick Hyde of Smethport 12 Grandchildren two brothers: Tom (Lisa) Tessena of Bradford and Mike (Carol) Tessena of Smethport and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. at Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., 2 Bank St., Smethport, PA. A Mass of Christian Burial will be said on Thursday, May 10, at 10 A.M., in St. Elizabeth Church, Smethport, with the Rev. Vincent P. Cieslewicz, pastor as Celebrant. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, Smethport. Military Honors will be accorded by the American Legion; Bucktail Post #138 of Smethport. Memorials, if desired, can be made to the McKean County SPCA, 80 Glenwood Ave., Bradford, PA 16701 or the Hamlin Memorial Library, Mechanic St., Smethport, PA 16749. Online condolences can be made at www.hartle-tarboxfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., Smethport, PA