Francis 'Francie' Alfred Turner
Born In: Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada
Born: June 24th, 1924
Passed in: Glace Bay/Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed on: February 5th, 2012
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, Francis ‘Francie’ Alfred Turner, age 87. Francie peacefully passed away Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, at the Glace Bay Hospital, with his loving family and friends at his side.
Born in Glace Bay, June 4, 1924, he was the son of the late William and Agnes (Lyons) Turner. He was a member of St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Glace Bay, and was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
Francie started working in the coal mines of Glace Bay at the early age of 14, he was a very hard worker and a devoted man to his family and friends. Through the years Francie also had many successful businesses in Glace Bay, including Turner’s Taxi, Turner’s Oil Delivery, Turner’s Menswear and a convenience store on South Street. Francie was an avid fisherman and hunter and shared these passions and stories with his grandchildren. He was also well known for his love of Christmas, and for many years he dressed up as Santa Claus in front of his decorated home on Douglas Avenue for the children of Glace Bay. Francie was never one to be short for words or random acts of kindness, giving to those in need and taking the time to chat with those who needed a kind word.
Francie will be sadly missed by his loving daughter, Debbie (Joseph) Roberts, Glace Bay; grandchildren, Jason (Leona), Mark (Mariko), Rodney, Joseph, Frank (Cynthia), Chad, Chris; great-grandchildren, Jacob, Bryanna, Hana, Neese, Caeden, Ainsley; son-in-law, Allistar Taylor; numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Besides his parents, Francie was predeceased by his loving wife of 58 years, Agnes (Jolley) Turner, his youngest daughter, Francine Taylor, brothers, Dan, Alex, Arthur, Allistar, sisters, Agnes and Violet in infancy.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. in V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 16 Reserve St., Glace Bay. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012, in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Judi Phillips officiating. Interment will follow in St. Anne’s Cemetery, Glace Bay.
Memorial donations in Francie’s memory may be made to the Glace Bay Food Bank or Two Rivers Wildlife Park.
Online condolences to the Turner family are available through www.vjmcgillivray.ca.
