Douglas Murray Turner
Husband, grandfather, farmer, volunteer. Born on March 12, 1928, in Eugenia, Ont.; died on July 5, 2014, Melancthon, Ont., of cancer, aged 86.
"Come on, hurry up, we're late … Some day you'll be late for your own funeral!" That was a common refrain from Doug Turner's wife of 60 years, Muriel.
Doug seemed to live every day as if time didn't matter. A chance encounter with a friend, neighbour, relative, even a complete stranger, usually led to a lengthy chat about the weather, their mutual health and well-being, and the political issues of the day.
On May 31, 1985, he was running late getting home for supper but decided to stop at the Orangeville hospital to visit a sick friend. When he got back on the road he discovered that a tornado – one of a string of twisters that were among the most destructive in Ontario's history – had crossed the highway in front of him just minutes before. "See," he told his family, "it just does not pay to be on time!"
Doug was born on a farm near Eugenia, Ont., a descendant of pioneer farmers from England and Ireland who cleared the stony land for the generations that followed. He was born at home and his parents, grateful for medical help, named him after Nettie Douglas, the nurse, and Murray Lively, the doctor, who delivered him that snowy March day in 1928.
On a blind date, Doug met the love of his life, Muriel Martin from nearby Swinton Park. They married in 1953 and by 1955 had bought a farm in Melancthon where they raised five sons: Darrell, Dwight, Blaine, Terry and Kevin. At their 60th anniversary celebration, Doug told the gathering how blessed he felt to have such a wonderful family, so many good neighbours and great friends.
He basked in the stewardship of his crop-and-livestock farm, in the love of his family, in the neighbourhood baseball diamond he built, in his work in the payroll department of the Dufferin County Board of Education, and in his volunteer commitments, especially leading the New Horizons seniors group.
Retirement gave Doug the opportunity to connect with the next generation. He enjoyed spending time with his 14 grandchildren, and over the past two summers helped the two youngest plant, nurture and harvest a small vegetable garden, teaching them the value of thoughtfulness, planning and hard work along the way.
Doug was diagnosed with cancer in mid-June and was gone by early July. He took his final days in stride and often seemed more concerned about how others were doing, rather than himself. He never lost his sense of humour or his positive outlook, and was thankful that he was able to stay at home with Muriel to the end.
Upon reflection, time did matter to Doug; that is why he spent so much of it immersed in the company and conversation of others. His seemingly ordinary life had an extraordinary influence on many others. He always took the time to nurture rather than lecture and for this, and much more, we are eternally grateful.
Dwight Turner is Doug's son.