Butch Turiaga

Butch Turiaga, 83, passed away on May 29, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio. He was born in Manila, Philippines, on February 19, 1942, to Valentin and Resurreccion Turiaga. He was a high school graduate and also completed Marine Engineering Training. He worked as a Second Engineer and Merchant Marine. Butch was a member of St. Matthew the Apostle Catholic Church in Gahanna, Ohio.

Butch Turiaga was a loving Husband, Brother, Uncle, Father, Grandfather, Father in-law and a Friend. He loved listening to Music and teaching his Family about music, history and the culture of the Philippines. He was always part of his grandchildren’s lives and documented every part of their childhood and adulthood. He proudly displayed their art and encouraged them to chase after their dreams. His family will fondly remember Butch feeding the birds with this grandchildren and all of the care he gave his garden, watering his plants diligently and picking the vegetables he grew. He will be missed by all of his friends, family, and every person he made feel special. Anywhere he went, he made a new friend, shared a smile or a meal with them, and gave kindness to the world.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brother Juan “Johnny” Turiaga; sister-in-law Estrella “Esther” Turiaga; nephew Joselito Turiaga; and grandparents Jose Turiano and Marina Dizon Santiago.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Carmelita Santiago Turiaga; children Patrick (Lorna) Santiago, Zarah (Dhoney) T. Durusan, Aina (Scott) T. Kinnaman, and Val (Tessa) Turiaga III; grandchildren Jeremiah Turiaga, Zelphia Bargar, Stella Bargar, Isabel Durusan, Taban Bargar, Jaiden Turiaga, Daniel Durusan, and Zoe Turiaga; siblings Connie (Jerome) Perko, Ester Cuizon, and Valerie Tanedo; and pets Niko, Bimchai, Bella, Slimjim, Teddy, Jelly, Wennie, and Willie.

Visitation will be held at Schoedinger Northeast Funeral Home, 1051 E. Johnstown Road, Gahanna, OH 43230, on Friday, June 6, from 2:00pm – 4:00pm and 6:00pm – 8:00pm, with a brief prayer service taking place during the first visitation at 3:30pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Matthew the Apostle Catholic Church, 807 Havens Corners Road, Gahanna, OH 43230, on Saturday, June 7, beginning at 11:00am.

“And now the time has come, and so my love, I must go. And though I lose a friend, in the end you will know. One day, you’ll find that I have gone. But tomorrow may rain, so I’ll follow the sun. – The Beatles”