VASCO, 19 July 2012: The pop music fraternity in the State of Goa was plunged into grief following the demise of a veteran pop musician and founder member of the popular Goan band ’Lynx’ at Chicalim on Tuesday, July 17,2012. Terrence Vaz (55), a popular guitarist and singer better known as Terry, suffered a massive heart attack while driving two of his four children from school. The car suffered extensive damage, but the children escaped unhurt in the mishap.
According to reports, Terry had collected two of his children from school and was driving his car, a Mitsubishi Lancer (GA-01-R-6580), when he suffered a massive cardiac arrest a short distance from his residence.
The car went off the road and rammed into a roadside tree at Chicalim close to his residence. Neighbours rushed to their aid and moved Terry to the Chicalim Cottage Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. Doctors then reported the matter to Vasco police.
A police team then went to the site and learnt from the 12-yr-old daughter, who was in the car that her father began to complain of some pain while he was driving the car. Moments later, Terry collapsed and the car veered off the road.
Police later sent the body for an autopsy at the Hospicio at Margao. Terry is survived by his wife Rochelle and four children.
Born in Africa, Terry returned to Goa along with his family and completed his studies in St Britto High School, Mapusa.
His passion for music began since childhood and Terry was a member of the school band. His family has had strong affinity towards music, with Terry’s father serving as choir master in the Mapusa church, while Terry’s younger brother, Jude has also served in various popular bands in the State.
News of Terry’s demise spread across the music fraternity in the State and abroad as band mates and admirers grieved over the untimely death of the talented musician.
Recollecting his days with Terry, Xisto Paes, co- founder of the band ‘The Link’, said Terry had joined the Band in 1978 and they would play regularly at the Hotel Oberoi (now Bogmallo Beach Resort) at Bogmallo till 1994.
In 1994, Terry along with his brother, Jude, late James Rebelo, Augusto and Conny formed one of Goa’s most successful bands, ‘Lynx’ and performed extensively in Goa and abroad.
During his extensive musical career, Terry also co-released three CD’s, ’Let’s Groove’, ’Christmas with Lynx’ and ’Battle of Bands’.
"In the death of Terry, the Goan music fraternity has lost a great musician with a golden voice," said Dr Martin D’ Costa, adding that Terry was an executive member of the Dancesport Association.