Terry was born in Ballivor but moved to Athboy with his family in the late 1930s. After returning from his first stint in London, he won a junior hurling league medal with Killyon in 1959. He had earlier won minor hurling and football medals with Athboy in 1951. Terry moved back to London where he met his late wife Sheila but always kept a close eye on the fortunes of the Meath football and hurling teams.