Newport, Maine - The Rev. Dr. Terence Edward McKinley died on the morning of Saturday, July 12, 2025. He died at home with his wife of 63 years, Pamela Faith Johnson McKinley, at his side. Born on November 19, 1941, in Lowell, Massachusetts, Terry was the second of five children.

Raised in a devout Irish Catholic home, Terry found a home in the St. Michael's parish, singing in the choir and serving as an altar boy. As a young man, Terry felt a calling to serve in the church, but he soon devoted his life to raising a family with Pam and their four children in Chelmsford, Massachusetts.

After many years working as the general sales manager for automobile dealerships in Lowell, as well as owning a used car sales business for a period of time, Terry felt a return to this calling to ministry, so he and Pam packed up the family to move to Maine in summer 1977. Terry attended Bangor Theological Seminary for his studies while also completing his Bachelor's Degree at the University of Maine in Orono. Later he completed his DMin at Bangor Theological Seminary.

Throughout his years as a United Methodist pastor, Terry served several churches in Maine. He began his ministry as a student-pastor in Corinna and Hartland, later serving both communities as a full-time pastor until 1985. These first years paved the way, not only for Terry's passion for ministry but also as formative years for Pam and their children. As his gifts and talents for ministry grew, Terry was appointed to churches in Winthrop, Waterville, and Orono. In retirement he also served Farmington, Dixmont, and Troy. He finished his ministry where he began, in Corinna, Maine.

Our family is saddened by Terry's death, and we feel an abundance of gratitude to call this loving, wise, and compassionate man our father and husband. We have received an outpouring of messages from the people whose lives he graced with his kindness and humor: couples he married; colleagues from his years in seminary and serving the United Methodist Church; members of congregations; as well as former campers, counselors, and staff at Mechuwana, the United Methodist Church Camp of Maine.

Terry was predeceased by his parents, William Leo McKinley and Eileen Davlin McKinley; and his siblings, Brian McKinley, Maura McKinley, Eileen McKinley, and Michael McKinley. We have many memories of family gatherings, especially around the holidays, when the McKinleys joined in carols and hymns, with multiple voices singing harmonies. Terry always believed in the power of music to heal, inspire, and spread joy in a community, whether gathered in pews or walking along Main Street. Although ministry was his calling, Terry's true love was his family. Terry is survived by his wife, Pamela McKinley; their four children, Richard McKinley, Deborah Goodie, Todd McKinley, and Matthew McKinley; as well as nieces, nephews, spouses, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

A celebration of the Reverend Doctor's life has been scheduled for October 18, 2025, at the Pleasant St. UMC in Waterville, ME, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Terry's memory to Camp Mechuwana, Mechuwana Lane, Winthrop, ME.