In memory of our father, Douglas Lorne Turner, who passed away September
8, 2019 at the age of 91. He is survived by his wife, Lois Rae Turner (nee
Jenkins), his daughters Anne and Mary, and daughter-in-law, Antje. His son
Brian pre-deceased him.
Dad was the youngest of six children born to Bert and Edythe Turner, both
of whom emigrated from England. Directly out of high school he joined the
RCAF, initially as a technician, but ultimately moving to officer training to
become a navigator. One of his early postings was to CFB Summerside in
PEI where he met and married our mother, and where Anne was born. His
career moved him all around Canada, and to England to fly on exchange
with the RAF at Tangmere. On his return to Canada he and his pilot partner
made the first Trans Canada flight for the CF100. Mary was born in Alberta
while he was with the Fighter Training Squadron at CFB Cold Lake. Brian
was born in Toronto while he was studying at the Canadian Forces Staff
College. Later he commanded CFB Armstrong, one of the Pinetree Line radar
bases. He retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and, ready for his next
challenge, undertook a second career with the Ontario Housing Corporation.
There he was very involved in the acquisition of the lands for the planned
Seaton community in Pickering.
In his true retirement he became a disciple of Tai Chai both as a student and
as a teacher, no doubt contributing to the wonderful health he enjoyed right
up until the end. Golf was a lifelong passion, as was wine. But above all,
he was a voracious reader, studying a number of international newspapers
each day, and ordering endless books from the Toronto Public Library on
his well-used iPad. Dad and Mum also enjoyed long walks in the local park
system until Mum fell and broke her hip recently. At this time, Dad embarked
on his third career, that of devoted care-giver, seeing her through recovery,
mobility issues and memory loss.
While we understand it is hard for family and friends not to have an
opportunity to come together, we are respecting his express wish for
no ceremony whatsoever, and in lieu of flowers, for donations to be
made to The Salvation Army. He will always be in our thoughts, and
perhaps one evening, as you sip a nice glass of wine, he’ll be in yours.
We know he would enjoy that.