Theresa Esther McInnis

McInnis, Theresa Esther (nee Wasielak), died June 21, 2025 at The Pillars of Biloxi, MS. Terri was born January 16, 1942 in New Britain, CT, and graduated Belin (CT) High School in 1960. Terri was pre-deceased by husband James Thomas “Tom” McInnis and by parents Stephen J. Wasielak and Rita L. (nee Auclair) Wasielak. Terri is survived by her daughter Kathleen Mary McInnis (Michael Perez) of Dover, DE, her brothers Thomas Wasielak of La Grange, KY and Donald Wasielak (Elizabeth M. Russell) of Concord, NC, her sisters Christine Calcinari of California and Jacqueline Hopkins of Coalmont, TN, her aunt Ruth Jones, of Londonderry, NJ, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Connecticut Museum of Culture and History, One Elizabeth Street, Hartford, CT 06105, where Terri’s memorabilia will be displayed. https://www.connecticutmuseum.org/

Terri was a dedicated horsewoman - driving, training, and owning standardbred horses. She was honored at the 30th Harness Writers Hall of Fame awards dinner on August 23, 2008 at Rockingham Park in Salem, NH, and presented with an achievement plaque, which stated: “She is among New England’s first licensed female drivers and a standout trainer for more than 20 years”. Terri retired from the shipping and receiving department of Target in 2009.

Jack Ginnetti of the New England Harness Writers Association wrote on 28 Aug 2008:

“Born in New Britain, CT, she learned her craft from her father Stephen Wasielak and was tutored by veteran driver Homer Harp. Her debut in the bike (sulky) came April 9, 1971 at Green Mountain Park in Pownal, Vermont. She qualified for her license at Suffolk Downs and from 1971 until 1986 she raced at Pompano Park in Florida, Bay State Raceway, Scarborough Downs, the Meadows, Pocono Downs, Rockingham Park, Rochester Fairgrounds in N.H., and Freehold Raceway. She married horseman Thomas McInnis in 1980 and stopped driving then to raise a family, but continued training. Tom trained horses in Frankfort, Delaware until his passing in 1990.”

Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Terri McInnis.