Albert Page Turner Jr.

A gentle man, who loved the sea & sky, who gave his all to his family and all who knew him, who followed his God's footsteps his entire life, has left our world on Sunday, July 18, 2021, surrounded by his loving family at home.

The Reverend Albert Page Turner Jr has left, but will never really be gone to those of us that love him. In his 80 years, he left a priceless legacy of kindness, grace, humility, and laughter (tons of laughter) in his wake. Like the ocean he loved so much, we will feel his love and friendship lap over us at times, like waves upon the sand, a steady, comforting feeling. He was known by many names: "Bumpy", coined by his baby granddaughter Caitlin when she tried to say Grampy, "Dadeo", "Own", "U.A.T.K.P" (Uncle Al the Kiddies Pal), "Albie", the "Rev" or "Sermonator", "Deut", "DM", "Bagel Boy", "Bones", "favorite Cleric" just to name a few. Did we mention he loved to laugh?

Al was born in Beverly, Massachusetts on February 12, 1940, and in 1961, met and married his soulmate of 60 years, Charlotte. They had two wonderful children Cheryl and Russell. The Rev's family is blessed to include daughter Cheryl Rappolt and her husband Christopher, granddaughter Caitlin McNamee, son Russell Turner and his wife Diane, grandson Jared Turner, and granddaughter Jordyn Turner. In Heaven, Al is embraced and reunited with his loving parents, Albert Sr. and Katherine (Kay) Turner, his amazing sister Barbara Emmith and silly brother Gary! He loved his "like-children" Lisa Lanzano and Michael Condel so much and his other "grands" Sara Diley, Neale McNamee, Tommy (Te), and Sean McNamee. Such an incredible list of loving family and friends are left including a brother in law with whom he shared a special bond, Larry "Beetle" Lefavour and sister in law Fran Lefavour. UATKP leaves many nieces and nephews... David Emmith & his wife Maria, Mark Emmith & his wife Karen, Christine Brown and her husband Dan, Diane Maguire and her husband Jeff, Nicole Ayotte and her husband Ken, Frank Tozzoli and his wife Kelly, all of their families, and many, many friends who became family through his church and long career as an engineer and Pastor. In his later years, he loved joining in the R.O.M.E.O (Retired Old Men Eating Out) group with John "Schmedley" Smith and catching up with all his UTC buddies!

Al led his life through God. He and Charlotte moved to East Hartford, Connecticut after marriage to begin his career with United Technologies. He worked at Pratt & Whitney & Hamilton Standard for 35 years, as a mechanical engineer and then creating and providing counseling as Ombudsman because he saw the need. After his forced early retirement, Al turned the other cheek and truly made sweet lemonade out of corporate lemons. In his 50's, he enrolled in Andover Newton and earned his Master of Divinity, all while still serving others in a bagel shop between classes. And being the methodical, meticulous person he was, those bagels were sliced perfectly even every time! Al's attention to detail was part of who he was and he gifted that to others. He felt all humans were his "details". He would listen and not judge, hug you without words when necessary, and was always there if you needed him. Animals were his "details" too... throughout his life, he showered his dogs with love: Boots, Dukie, Kimo, Gromit, and Lilo and they all loved him right back. After his graduation from Andover Newton, he was unanimously chosen by the warm congregation of South Congregational Church to become the Senior Pastor, here, where he and Charlotte have worshipped since moving to Connecticut. He served his church family for close to 20 years as Pastor, more as a member of the choir, and overall, 55 years of faithful service.

Always the problem solver, Al loved to work his crosswords and word searches. His daughter Cheryl has inherited his love of words and often helped him with the clues! He loved the strategic game of Cribbage, playing with son Russ, wife Charlotte, and his friend Dick. He even taught son-in-law Chris to play and enjoy the game. A wiz at mathematical equations, granddaughter Caitlin often called on her Bumpy to help with her homework. He loved to build things, especially Lego creations. Completing Star Wars sets with grandson Jared brought him great joy! Also very mechanically inclined, Al loved to tinker with cars and such... he took immense pleasure spending his time with granddaughter Jordyn, showing her ways to fix stuff!

Golfing was his passion and he loved to get out to the "links" with his pals George Schoen, Louie Skinner, and Mac Selvidge. Fun memories and stories were made on their outings. Hailing from Massachusetts, Al was an avid Boston Red Sox and Boston Bruins fan. He played hockey in his youth and was an amazing skater. He loved telling stories of him and "Big Rog" skating on homemade ice rinks in their hometown of Beverly. Their group had some awesome adventures together as teens, which Al remembered fondly. We know their adventures continue now, reunited in Heaven with Roger, Arthur, and Dean- nicknamed "Sooty".

As a Dad, Al, with Charlotte, planned a yearly vacation to Cape Cod. Now, in the 70's, we had a VW Beetle. Always the engineer, he would pack us, all of our stuff, AND our beloved husky Kimo, into that bug like a game of Tetris. I am not sure how we survived! The Cape remains a favorite place in our hearts and memory. Wherever we went as a family, Dad was always on the lookout for ice cream shops and the closest Dunkin Donuts. He loved coffee, donuts, and his ice cream! Many times, he and his buddy Carl "Sheet Rock Head" Trevison would sneak off to the Sundae School on summer evenings at the Cape for a treat.

Have you noticed the trend for bestowing nicknames in remembering Al?

We want to include special thanks to the caregivers and Hospice nurses who stepped in to bolster Charlotte and help her tend to and comfort Al in his last years: Sue "Lois" Ronan, Justin, Theresa, Dion, Lennox, and numerous other angels here on earth.

A celebration of Rev. Al's life will be on Sunday, August 29, 2021 at the D’Esopo East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford from 11am to 2:00 pm. Please dress casual, Al loved the beach and being in nature in the warm weather, and we wish for you to come ready for a true summery celebration of him. Due to the ongoing health pandemic, all visitors are asked to please wear a facial covering and adhere to all regulations.

In lieu of flowers, please make your donations in his honor to his second home, South Congregational Church, 1301 Forbes Street, East Hartford, CT 06118.

Cherish your stories and memories of Al and keep them close in your heart. Pay kindnesses forward when you see the opportunities. The way he was, made us the way we are.

Smile and enjoy Al's favorite scripture at your leisure: Micah 6.8 / Philippians 4.13

For on-line expressions of sympathy to Rev. Al’s family, please visit www.desopoeh.com.