Mr. Glenn Elwood Turner

Glenn passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 23rd, 2014. Glenn lived a long and mostly healthy life until a couple of debilitating falls significantly impaired his mobility and ability to do many of his favorite activities over the past two years. He was a loving, kind, thoughtful, and generous man who deeply loved his family and friends and all the special times spent in the company of his treasured loved ones. He is happily now reunited with his beloved Alice.

One of six children born to Raymond and Minnie Turner (nee Hovey), Glenn was predeceased by siblings, Gilbert (Esther), Ruth ( Arthur), Eva, Leo, and Raymond (Margaret). He was born in Pollockville, Alberta and raised in the farming community of Botha, Alberta. When he was 18 years old Glenn joined the Royal Canadian Airforce, and served until the end of the Second World War. While in the service, and stationed in Vancouver, he met the love of his life, Alice Kropinak.

Glenn and Alice were married on June 14th, 1946 and settled in Vancouver, where Glenn built their house on West 45th Avenue by himself. Five years later they began their family with the birth of a son, Ron and in another five years they welcomed their second son, Ray. Both Ron and Ray excelled athletically, particularly in baseball and football. Some of Glenn’s proudest moments came while watching his sons play sports. As a couple, Glenn and Alice were very actively engaged in Curling and Golf, traveling to many destinations. They enjoyed traveling together throughout the world.

Glenn was a long time employee of Canadian Telephone and Supplies, rising from the lowest position of apprentice installer to become a Senior Manager with the company. He retired at the age of 60 and recently noted that he has been retired for 30 years, which gave him much more time to focus on his favorite hobbies of furniture building and playing the guitar. He was particularly talented in making furniture and many of those pieces occupy a special place in our homes.

In the 1980’s Glenn and Alice welcomed the arrival of two beautiful granddaughters, Ashleigh and Alannah, born to Ron and Dianne, who they doted on from the first moment their eyes met. The girls were so very fortunate to have the love of their Papa Glenn and Nana Alice, and to spend so many wonderful times with their grandparents. Sadly, his beloved Alice passed away in 2000, changing Glenn’s life forever.

Glenn was able to stay in their beautiful home until the past two years and tend the spectacular garden he and Alice had created together. This past year Glenn moved into Sunrise Care home, and more recently he moved to St. Jude’s Anglican Home, where he received the very best care.

Glenn was someone the entire family could depend on for assistance with anything, particularly anything that needed to be repaired. He was also an incredible listener when someone needed help sorting out a problem. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, neighbor and friend. Glenn leaves to mourn his passing, sons Ron (Dianne) and Ray, granddaughters Ashleigh (Justin) and Alannah, great-grandson Jack, Sisters-in-law Margaret Turner, Carol Kropinak and Camille Lawson (Ron) and many nephews and nieces. He will be missed, and loved, forever.

A celebration of Glenn’s life will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 3rd, 2014, at Forest Lawn Funeral Chapel, 3789 Royal Oak Avenue, Burnaby. Burial and Reception to follow the service. In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made to the BC Cancer Foundation in Glenn’s name.