Donald Neron Turner

Don was born on October 15, 1938 at Ottawa Civic Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. His parents were Frank and Agnes Turner. Don grew up in Ottawa. Always able to express himself well, Don possessed strong interpersonal skills. He was optimistic in his outlook on life and was able to be open and direct in his communication. Armed with a great wit, Don was raised to be accepting of others and to implement a strong personal work ethic.

Blessed with a balanced attitude, Don was able to relate well with others. His occasional role as family mediator gave him the opportunity to ease tense situations when they occurred. Don was raised with 5 siblings. Frank Turner and Thomas Turner (who were half-brothers on his dad's side), an older brother Robert; a younger sister Helen and the youngest was his brother Richard. Don had a strong desire to be treated fairly and would readily offer others the same fairness in return.

As a young child, Don showed his creative ability in many ways. He was outgoing and animated. Don enjoyed new activities and pursued a variety of interests. He loved fishing, he was a cub (Boy Scouts of Canada) and enjoyed stamp collecting. He also liked to make and sell plaster of Paris ornaments with his siblings. Don's memorable achievements included being in charge of the Ottawa Citizen's newspaper depot in his area and managing a group of paperboys at age 12 … a sure sign of his ability to lead.

Known to others as a focused, logical, open-minded and driven individual, Don was able to utilize these qualities to succeed in school. His curious nature was spurred on by his ability to maximize his personal learning style through employing a hands-on approach. He was good with facts and had an excellent memory. He enjoyed some courses more than others. Math was a definite favorite.

Friends and acquaintances found Don easy to get to know and those close to him would often praise his open, practical style of communication and relaxed approach to life in general. Don was uncomplicated and straightforward in his relationships, which allowed him to accept people for who they were. Don and Hilary became close friends with Jean and Rudi Ringhofer; Betty and Dave Meriam; Edna and John Gosbee; Pat and Dennis Morey; Mary and Alan Stanwell. – all lifelong friends.

On June 30, 1962 Don exchanged wedding vows with Hilary Catherine Brunker Anderson at Christ Church Cathedral Ottawa, Ontario. Don was attentive to Hilary's feelings, and he charmed Hilary and others with his gift for being able to give freely and generously. A good listener with an engaging personality, Don was able to bring pleasure and unexpected humor to their relationship.

Very much like a kid himself, Don identified with the inquisitive and creative side of his children’s personalities. He was able to direct his energetic spontaneity towards helping his children acquire added common-sense skills. Don was blessed with three children: daughter Robyn and two sons Christopher and Mark. They were also blessed with Nine grandchildren: Travis, Daniel, Richard, Alexia, Dominique, Ereka, Riley, Caitlin and Thomas.

Don was a flexible worker who was able to draw the best from others around him. Don could multi-task and was endowed with a strong entrepreneurial spirit. His primary occupation was Businessman and Salesman. Don was owner of Turnmore Sanitation which he started in 1982 after considerable experience in the sanitation industry working for P. H. Abrams and Wyant & Company. Don’s natural leadership qualities placed him in consideration for public recognition, earning him accolades for his many and varied efforts. Don received numerous sales awards throughout his career.

Don enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. His favorite pursuits were lawn bowling which he played in both California and Alberta as well as antiquing with daughter Robyn. He was content to enjoy his hobbies alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.

Don was enthusiastic and confident about his activities. Donald was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were football and hockey and local football when his grandsons were playing.

Don was a gifted problem solver who worked hard to help accomplish group goals. This skill made him a wonderful asset to the various groups and organizations to which he belonged. Always matter-of-fact about what needed to be done, Don worked steadily to meet any organization’s goals. Don was an active member of the Calgary Stampede for over thirty years; he was a member of the King George Masonic Lodge and the Al Azhar Shrine Temple.

Don was a generous man who prized that same quality in others. It is little wonder that he was so active and giving in his community. Don was a member of several community groups including serving on committees for Inn from the Cold in Calgary where he was a founding member; and Chateau on the Green Condominium Board. Politically, Don was a member, both provincially and federally, of the Conservative Party.

Don held close traditional values and as a result, faith was important to him. When growing up in Ottawa, Don was a member of St. Mathias Anglican Church (where he was baptized and confirmed) and then St. Peter's Anglican Church. When he lived in Calgary, he was a founding member of St. James Anglican Church; a member of St. Cyprian's Anglican Church from 1967 to 1988 and he then became part of St. Stephen's Anglican Church from 1988 until his passing. During his membership in these churches, he was a Vestry member at St. Cyprian's and when St. Stephen's started Inn from the Cold, he stepped up to get it off the ground.

Travel and vacations were experiences that Don truly enjoyed. California was Don's favourite get-away and for years he and Hilary would spend the winter months there enjoying the sun and activities. This led Don to purchase a condominium in Rancho Mirage, California from 2008 to 2018 where he lived for six months a year. As family Don and Hilary took the kids to England where Hilary was born to visit family. He often did special trips like the Russian River Cruise for his 50th Wedding Anniversary and a tour of Newfoundland for his 55th Wedding Anniversary, all with the love of his life Hilary.

Don was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. One of Don’s favorites was his Basset Hound - Valiant Lord Nelson. They were best friends for 13 years. When Hilary and Don didn’t have their own pets they were always happy to mind Zoomer the whippet, Licorice the Havanese Yorkie and Oliver the Chug.

When Don’s retirement finally came in 2000, he was well prepared. His new life involved staying in Calgary, Alberta for the summer and California for the winter months. In retirement, he found new pleasure in lawn bowling and volunteering in local thrift shops in Palm Springs. He also enjoyed going to garage sales and spending time with friends.

Don passed away on February 6, 2019 at Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Calgary Alberta. He is survived by his wife Hilary and children Robyn (Larry), Chris (Colette) and Mark (Ann) and his nine grandchildren as well as sister Helen and brother Richard (Mary Jane). Services were held at St. Stephen's Anglican Church in Calgary, Alberta. Don was laid to rest in Queen's Park Mausoleum, Calgary, Alberta.

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Surrounded by his loving family, Don passed away peacefully in Calgary, Alberta on Wednesday, February 6, 2019 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born in Ottawa to his late parents, Frank and Agnes Turner, Don was a child full of life and humour, which he continued to exhibit throughout his life. He was a hardworking, energetic and compassionate man who married the love of his life, Hilary in 1962. They were blessed with three children.

In the early ‘80s, Don founded Turnmore Sanitation Inc. with his partner Dennis Morey, where he established himself as a fair and honest businessman. He was a member of the Masonic Order, gave many volunteer hours to the Calgary Stampede and enjoyed lawn bowling in Calgary and his second home in Rancho Mirage, California.

Don leaves behind to mourn his wife of 56 years, Hilary; their children Robyn (Larry), Christopher (Colette) and Mark (Ann); nine grandchildren: Travis, Richard, Daniel, Caitlin, Alexia, Thomas, Dominique, Ereka and Riley; his sister Helen McCredie and his brother Richard (Mary Jane). He was predeceased by his brother Robert.

Special thanks to Dr. Tina Cheng and unit 47 of the Tom Baker Cancer Centre.