February 21, 1928 - October 16, 2019
With profound sadness we announce the passing of our beloved father, Don Turner. Born in Perdue, Saskatchewan he worked the family farm with his parents and brothers, Grant and Jack. Knowing that farming might be in his blood but not in his spirit at age 18 he headed to Victoria where he enlisted in the navy. Traveling the world on HMS Ontario he made life long friends and spoke fondly of those navy memories. While in the navy he met and married Mildred (Millie) Prasiloski and re-enlisted in the Canadian Air Force where he served for 28 years in such places as Cold Lake, Zwiebruecken, Germany and Comox. He was an accomplished curler, hockey player, rally and race car driver. After retirement he worked at the liquor store in Campbell River before re-training and working as a barber at CFB Comox. He enjoyed this connection to the military along with the bantering and comradeship at the barber shop. He had a great love for music and as The Country Gent he provided entertainment at weddings and social events for many years in the Comox Valley. When his working days were over he loved being a snowbird, wintering in Yuma for more than 20 years. Thoroughly enjoying this relaxed lifestyle, his winter home was a source of much pleasure as he embraced the friendships and social activities, particularly music jams.
Predeceased by his wife of 44 years, Millie Turner, he is survived by three sons. Wayne (Donna) and grandchildren Erin and Ryan. Ian (Gail) with grandson Jason (Magdalena) and great-grandsons Benjamin and Everett; granddaughter Shannon (Kaz) and great-grandsons Kaylis and Syris. Ross and grandchildren Troy and Kim (Josh) and great grandson Finnley.
For the last several years he and his loving partner, Cecilia Campbell, shared a wonderful life together. Cecilia worked tirelessly as his companion and caregiver as he faced health issues in his final year.
Dad had a special love for his family. Family dinners were always a big event that he enjoyed very much. He loved watching his boys and grandchildren play sports and you would often see him in the stands at their games. Every year he made a trip back home, stopping to visit his Chase family and then spending a week or two with his Saskatchewan family. The special bond they shared, the love they felt and the memories they made were a constant reminder of how much they meant to him.
Dad had a very calm and accepting manner that attracted and maintained a large circle of friends both at home and among his snowbird family. He was a very kind and gentle man who was surrounded by these many friends during his lifetime. He will be dearly missed by family in Canada and friends in his winter home in Yuma. Gone but never, ever forgotten.