I began my career as a nurse in 1985 on old 8 N . soon after Vicki  and Dr. TURCOTTE Were learning from the Pittsburgh team to get our liver transplant program up and running. It was amazing to work with Dr Turcotte and head nurse Coleen Dunlevy. I have had a wonderful 35 yr career as a transplant nurse-very rewarding and amazing people. Vicki and I referred to him fondly behind his back as "Dad" as he loved teaching and treated everyone kindly. My condolences to Claire and family

Jerry was the most intelligent physician ever that I ever encountered.  We were fellow undergrads at UM as well as fellow Med students and residents.  As Pittsfield park home residents,  our families grew up together and lead to Vince(Jerry’s brother) marrying Nancy - my wife Connie’s sister.  We have remained close life long friends and I could never pass Ann Arbor without stopping to see him - even in his last challenging years.  He will be forever remembered and hopefully we will be reunited in the future 

" I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness I can show to any human being let me do it now. Let me not defer it or neglect it for I shall not pass this way again." 
Stephen Grellet, Quaker Missionary, 1773-1855

Jerry neither deferred nor neglected. He chose a profession  where his unique skill and gifts affected the lives of so many and his ability to share his talent with those young physicians who were honored to work with him.
Know you were loved dear friend.   


Jerry and I were friends ever since we started our surgical internship and residency in 1957, I feel so privileged to have enjoyed and benefited from his friendship during all of our clinical years in Ann Arbor and beyond. He was a kind, thoughtful and extremely intelligent friend and always a great inspiration to me.

Dear Claire
It is so sad.
I remember that time when Jerry and you and your baby spent some time with me in Paris 
Good time for Jerry in the OR ,discussing liver transplantation and liver surgery
Good time in Paris.Do you remember the day we went  in this restaurant in the bois de Boulogne ,taking a boat to cross the lake.It was a sunny day and we were happy.
Françoise joins me to tell you our great sadness
Henri

I had the pleasure of working with Dr. Turcotte in the Operating Rooms.  It was an honor to help him set up the Liver Transplant Program and be able to help with the first liver transplant at Michigan. He was truly a great man . 

 Dr Turcotte  we spent many hours working together,  at all times of the day and night.You were always calm and in control. Although if I had to listen too the "how to hold the needle holder talk" to a nervous first year resident  at 3am I was going to go skyward. Good Man.
R.I.P. "Big Kahuna.  

I am very sorry for the loss of Dr Turcotte my sincere sympathies to his family, coworkers and friends. Dr. Turcotte was one of the first transplant drs that I saw to have a liver transplant my disease that I was born with is rare and when I went on the list there had not been a successful liver transplant on a person with my disease only two attempts in CA and both passed away shortly so my case was taken carefully under consideration by my GI Dr and Dr Turcotte and almost 20 years later I am still here.  Thank you to him for whatever input he had in making it happen. 

Farewell to an outstanding fellow De La Salle graduate. Jerry, you brought great honor and  distinction to our Class of 1950 by your world renown surgical achievements. You carried yourself with class and dignity. We are proud of your accomplishments. May you enjoy the everlasting happiness in Heaven that you have richly earned. God Bless You.     Tony Mattar,  DLS Class of '50

Dr. Turcotte, the "father of transplant" at the University of Michigan. He was a brilliant man and surgeon.  I recall my first time in the OR to observe a liver transplant (thanks to Richard Chenault) he said, "stand wherever you want, ask me anything you want, just don't touch anything blue".  He was truly an inspiration to everyone.  Maybe he's the reason why I'm still with the transplant department after 29 years.  Rest in heaven Dr. Turcotte.

Jerry married my cousin Claire many years ago ago in the
1950's  and was always a man to admire as he pioneered an area of medicine many believed would never become such a huge success..
I'm soon to be with you as I close on 92 myself**  Dick Heinlen

Dr. Turcotte (or Uncle Jerry) really went out of his way to take care of me when I was a freshman in 1973 at the University of Michigan and I came down with an unknown illness. I spent a week at the U of M hospital and he came to see me frequently. He also arranged  top doctors to diagnose my illness. He was first class and I have never forgotten his generosity and kind manner.  He was a great person and a credit to his profession.  May he rest in eternal peace. Mike Roney

Dr Turcotte took me under his wing when I was a third year resident in Ann Arbor and put me in the lab researching pancreases transplants in 1973. This began my 40 year career in transplantation which is ongoing. During that time he came to speak for me at seminars and always put up my picture and referred to me as “Dickie “. He had wanted me to stay in Ann Arbor but when I left for Texas he only wished me well and continued to support my membership in many organizations. Now after more than 3000 transplants I can say he was the one who responsible for my commitment and passion. He was a true giant and father of American surgery as we know it today. He never was vindictive or had a bad word to say about another person. Although the past years have been hard I will chose to remember the kind man who changed my life. Rest In Peace my  gracious mentor and friend 

OBITUARY

Jeremiah G. Turcotte, M.D.

January 20, 1933 – February 12, 2020

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