“I've lived a life that's full
I traveled each and every highway
And more, much more than this
I did it my way.” - Frank Sinatra

John Charles Turner - “JCT”- always did things his way. He lived life large.

Life-long golf partner and loving husband of 61 years to Gail Marie Turner (nee Cowie), father to John Matthew (Lauren, Hannah, Clayton), Kimberly Gail (Peter Murphy and children Morgan, Alexandra, Caroline, Adam), Richard Frank (Alison and children Alexander and Camryn, Sara, Emma), and predeceased by Adam Edward (Christina and children Cole, Finn, Kate). He recently became a great-grand-father to Blaire Alison Turner. John is survived by his brother James Ralph Adam Turner (Annetta).

Son to Frank Turner (of England) and Elsie Marion Adam (of Lindsay, Ontario), John was born and raised in Toronto on Pinewood Ave. He attended Humewood Public School and Vaughan Road Collegiate.

John launched his real estate career with S.E. Lyons Brokerage in the early 1950s. He later became partner at Gibson Willoughby Realtor and went on to establish Town Centre Properties. He excelled as a deal maker, investor, and developer of commercial properties in Toronto, notably owning the Medical Arts building on Bloor Street, the Canadianna Motor Hotel at Hwy 401 & Kennedy Rd. and assembling the land for the Yorkville Shopping Mall. His entrepreneurial ventures extended into railway, film, and art investments. His achievements inspired his children and nephews, several of whom pursued careers in real estate.

In the summer of 1950, John Charles Turner was vacationing on Lake of Bays and met Gail Marie Cowie while she was working as a chambermaid and caddy at the historic Bigwin Inn (later both would become original members following Bigwin’s restoration). Enamored by Gail's spirited nature, they married on November 3, 1956, at Rosedale Golf Club. They began raising their family on Leacroft Crescent in Don Mills where John Jr., Kimberly and Richard were born. By 1965 they moved to Tudor Gate where Adam completed the family. John and Gail created a beautiful home to raise their children with the loving support of Mr. and Mrs. Duncan who cared greatly for the family.

In winter 1959, John and Gail snowshoed off South Portage Rd. into McDonald’s Bay on Lake of Bays, and their cottage, Owlscourt was born. Owlscourt was renowned for big dinners, big parties, and big band music. There was always a seat at the table and a gourmet meal (always on a hot plate) for family and friends on the lake. He took great pride in maintaining Owlscourt impeccably and always ensured that the roads were graded, the geraniums planted, the boats cleaned, the beer cabin stocked and the pantry full of essentials. His collection of tools and equipment rivaled that of an F1 mechanic, all proudly labeled "JCT.” Every imaginable cottage toy could be found at Owlscourt for his grandchildren. He loved a good party and built his own disco, dubbed the "Night Owl Club," a party barn equipped with sports bar like games, massive sound system and industrial kitchen.

JCT was a passionate collector and restorer of antique cars and boats. Among his notable projects were the restoration of a 1937 Jaguar SS Swallow, a 1937 Touring Packard and a 1920 Bentley boat-tail speedster that raced through the streets of Monaco. Additionally, he restored classic Muskoka wooden boats, including a 32’ 1927 Minett Shields he called ‘The Penguin’ and his beloved 22’ 1955 Gravette Streamliner affectionately named ‘The Night Owl.’
He was a member of the famous Caughnawana Fishing & Hunting Club in Quebec, accessible in those days only by float plane, of which one he owned. (He never actually had a pilot’s license. He would quip, “who’s going to check my license in the sky.”)

He and Gail bought their ocean side home in Lost Tree Village in West Palm Beach in 1976 and enjoyed 30+ wonderful years of Florida winters and golf. If they weren’t at Owlscourt or Lost Tree Village, you could find them at Beacon Hall in Aurora, Ontario most likely golfing. John loved and cared for Gail immensely. They enjoyed many happy times together golfing, boating, dancing, curling, skiing, and travelling together.

John will be remembered as a ‘larger than life’ character, for his successful business acumen, his meticulous property management, his over-the top generosity and his love for Gail, his 4 children and 13 grandchildren. At 92, John now joins his ‘Gaily’ and their son Adam on the fairways in heaven.

A special thank you to the incredible caregivers at Belmont House. Visitation will be held at the Mount Pleasant Funeral Centre (375 Mount Pleasant Road, East Gate Entrance) on Sunday, June 2nd, 2pm followed by a service at 3pm and a reception at 4pm. In honour of JCT and his love of colour through art and fashion, please feel free to dress up colourfully. A private interment will take place at the family plot in Lindsay, ON. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Foundation at Belmont House, Odette Cancer Centre at Sunnybrook Hospital or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of Canada. Condolences can be left at www.etouch.ca.