Obituary for Dr. Terry Orlick, Ph.D.
Dr. Terry Orlick, Ph.D., a world-renowned leader in the applied fields of sport psychology, mental training, and excellence, passed away peacefully surrounded by his two youngest daughters on August 17, 2021 in Ottawa.
Terry was born in Montreal in 1945. When he was five years old his family moved to Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec and then moved again to Atlantic Heights, New Jersey in the 1960s. Following family tradition that began in Czechoslovakia generations ago, Terry grew up in a family gymnastics act including his parents and 3 siblings. They ranked with the world's top acrobats. Terry came by his gymnastics abilities naturally and began training as a gymnast in his personal athletic career from a very early age. At fifteen, Terry competed in the Junior Olympics and received an award for the best all around athlete. Specializing in trampoline, he led the Syracuse University gymnastics team as captain to win many U.S. championships, including a personal gold medal at the Eastern Championships. A hard worker and talented competitor, Terry was dedicated to his sport.
Retiring from his athletic career, Terry obtained his B.A. in Health and Physical Education and Recreation from Syracuse University, his Masters in Educational Psychology at The College of William and Mary, and his Ph.D. in Physical Education with a specialization in Sport, Children and Performance Enhancement Psychology at the University of Alberta in 1972.
The soft-spoken Dr. Orlick spent more than 40 years teaching at the University of Ottawa where he was Full Professor in Sport and Performance Psychology in the School of Human Kinetics. Terry authored more than 30 books including the widely acclaimed, "In Pursuit of Excellence", "Embracing Your Potential", "Nice on My Feelings: Nurturing the Best in Children and Parents", "Positive Living Skills", "Every Kid Can Win", and "Cooperative Games and Sports". He published hundreds of articles in a variety of professional journals, and was founder of the Journal of Excellence and the Zone of Excellence.
He was a popular lecturer, speaker, advocate, consultant and champion for enhancing the quality of life and performance for many people across the globe. He was past-President of the International Society for Mental Training and Excellence, and he won numerous national and international awards from governments, universities and sports organizations for his excellence in teaching and distinguished community service, including The Commemorative Medal For Valued Service awarded by the Governor General of Canada in 1993.
Terry once said that his dream was to have a positive impact on real lives through sharing his writing and his experiences, teaching youth and children to excel in sport and in life, and helping people everywhere to become the focused, joyful, compassionate performers they have the potential to become. Over the years, Terry worked with thousands of students, Olympic-level athletes, professional athletes, coaches and trainers, administrators and educators, corporate leaders, surgeons and other health care professionals, astronauts, opera singers, dancers, musicians, and many others working in top-performing, stressful situations. He had many unique opportunities to travel and visit communities all across the world through his work.
He was a long-time resident of Meech Lake, Quebec, which he and his kids called home, and had such a deep love and appreciation for nature; constantly canoeing, kayaking, swimming and cross-country skiing. He could be seen running on the trails of the Gatineau Park every morning with his border collie Zen, rain, shine or 30 below zero. His love of nature was infused in everything he did, and he saw beauty in the simplest things.
Later on in life, Terry was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and his youngest daughters, Jewelia and Skye, took on the role of primary caregivers. His final years were a turbulent journey to say the least, but his girls cared for him to the very best of their ability, and remained strong for him.
Terry was a kind person and a gentle presence in his kids' lives. He was a loving, caring and present father; bringing constant support. He will be remembered as a calming and grounding presence. He is survived by his children; Skye, Jewelia, Anouk, and Rikard. He is fondly remembered by his sisters Sandy and Karen, as well as by his son-in-law Stéphane and grandsons Max, Milan, Kai, Louvain and Noé.
Terry embodied love and joy. His girls feel so fortunate to have him as a father. He lived every moment to the fullest and encouraged those around him to do the same. He was such a special person and so very loved. They trust he’s in a better place now, and that wherever he is, he’s at peace and surrounded by nature. We have lost a father, a friend, a colleague, and a genuine legend in the human excellence field. He would want us all to continue "being in the moment", "finding the simple joys" and "celebrating the highlights" in each and every day of our precious lives.
Family, friends, students & colleagues are invited to a ceremony of life to be held at Meech Lake on Friday August 27th from 11am until 2pm.
The Orlick family asks that you confirm your attendance here: Celebration of Life Gathering for Dr. Terry Orlick
In memory of Terry, please consider a hike, run, or swim in nature in his honor.
Terry was born in Montreal in 1945. When he was five years old his family moved to Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec and then moved again to Atlantic Heights, New Jersey in the 1960s. Following family tradition that began in Czechoslovakia generations ago, Terry grew up in a family gymnastics act including his parents and 3 siblings. They ranked with the world's top acrobats. Terry came by his gymnastics abilities naturally and began training as a gymnast in his personal athletic career from a very early age. At fifteen, Terry competed in the Junior Olympics and received an award for the best all around athlete. Specializing in trampoline, he led the Syracuse University gymnastics team as captain to win many U.S. championships, including a personal gold medal at the Eastern Championships. A hard worker and talented competitor, Terry was dedicated to his sport.
Retiring from his athletic career, Terry obtained his B.A. in Health and Physical Education and Recreation from Syracuse University, his Masters in Educational Psychology at The College of William and Mary, and his Ph.D. in Physical Education with a specialization in Sport, Children and Performance Enhancement Psychology at the University of Alberta in 1972.
The soft-spoken Dr. Orlick spent more than 40 years teaching at the University of Ottawa where he was Full Professor in Sport and Performance Psychology in the School of Human Kinetics. Terry authored more than 30 books including the widely acclaimed, "In Pursuit of Excellence", "Embracing Your Potential", "Nice on My Feelings: Nurturing the Best in Children and Parents", "Positive Living Skills", "Every Kid Can Win", and "Cooperative Games and Sports". He published hundreds of articles in a variety of professional journals, and was founder of the Journal of Excellence and the Zone of Excellence.
He was a popular lecturer, speaker, advocate, consultant and champion for enhancing the quality of life and performance for many people across the globe. He was past-President of the International Society for Mental Training and Excellence, and he won numerous national and international awards from governments, universities and sports organizations for his excellence in teaching and distinguished community service, including The Commemorative Medal For Valued Service awarded by the Governor General of Canada in 1993.
Terry once said that his dream was to have a positive impact on real lives through sharing his writing and his experiences, teaching youth and children to excel in sport and in life, and helping people everywhere to become the focused, joyful, compassionate performers they have the potential to become. Over the years, Terry worked with thousands of students, Olympic-level athletes, professional athletes, coaches and trainers, administrators and educators, corporate leaders, surgeons and other health care professionals, astronauts, opera singers, dancers, musicians, and many others working in top-performing, stressful situations. He had many unique opportunities to travel and visit communities all across the world through his work.
He was a long-time resident of Meech Lake, Quebec, which he and his kids called home, and had such a deep love and appreciation for nature; constantly canoeing, kayaking, swimming and cross-country skiing. He could be seen running on the trails of the Gatineau Park every morning with his border collie Zen, rain, shine or 30 below zero. His love of nature was infused in everything he did, and he saw beauty in the simplest things.
Later on in life, Terry was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and his youngest daughters, Jewelia and Skye, took on the role of primary caregivers. His final years were a turbulent journey to say the least, but his girls cared for him to the very best of their ability, and remained strong for him.
Terry was a kind person and a gentle presence in his kids' lives. He was a loving, caring and present father; bringing constant support. He will be remembered as a calming and grounding presence. He is survived by his children; Skye, Jewelia, Anouk, and Rikard. He is fondly remembered by his sisters Sandy and Karen, as well as by his son-in-law Stéphane and grandsons Max, Milan, Kai, Louvain and Noé.
Terry embodied love and joy. His girls feel so fortunate to have him as a father. He lived every moment to the fullest and encouraged those around him to do the same. He was such a special person and so very loved. They trust he’s in a better place now, and that wherever he is, he’s at peace and surrounded by nature. We have lost a father, a friend, a colleague, and a genuine legend in the human excellence field. He would want us all to continue "being in the moment", "finding the simple joys" and "celebrating the highlights" in each and every day of our precious lives.
Family, friends, students & colleagues are invited to a ceremony of life to be held at Meech Lake on Friday August 27th from 11am until 2pm.
The Orlick family asks that you confirm your attendance here: Celebration of Life Gathering for Dr. Terry Orlick
In memory of Terry, please consider a hike, run, or swim in nature in his honor.