It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Gerald Turner on Saturday April 27, 2019 surrounded by his family at The Cove Guest Home, following a lengthy illness.
Born in Glace Bay, NS on March 26, 1937, he was the son of the late Roy Turner and Mabel (Madie Moores) Turner.
Gerald is survived by his wife of 53 years Beverley (MacKeigan) Turner; 3 children: Michele, Glenn (Kim) and Dale (Jenn); 6 grandchildren: Ashley, Beverley-Anne, Mitchell (Emilie), Lauren, Emily and Colt; 2 great-grandchildren: Owen and Mak.
Also surviving are Gerald’s sister and her husband Carole and John Newell, their son Glen (David) Newell; sister-in-law Evelyn Christen and her husband Fred; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
In his youth, Gerald was involved in sports. He played hockey and baseball. His interest in sports continued throughout his life; he followed many sports teams but his favourite was the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Gerald graduated from Morrison Glace Bay High School in 1954 and studied Dentistry at Dalhousie University where he graduated in 1960. He practiced dentistry in Glace Bay for 49 years; the last 33 years alongside his dedicated assistant Kathy (Pyke) Riley. He retired from dentistry in 2009.
During his working years, Gerald served as president of the Cape Breton Island Dental Society as well as the Nova Scotia Dental Association. He and another dental colleague were instrumental in setting up and maintaining a dental clinic at Seaview Manor in Glace Bay. Gerald had interests outside of dentistry including involvement in The Festival on the Bay and the Nova Scotia Speech Communication Association. Gerald served as chair of the Glace Bay Schools’ Band Parents Association and Chair of Epworth United Church Board. He was always eager to support community endeavors especially those involving health and education.
The family would like to thank Dr. John Archibald and all the staff at the Cove Guest Home for their compassion during the past 7 years. We would also like to thank them for their extraordinary care in Gerald’s final days. Thank you to EHS, the Emergency Department at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Dr. Ev Fuller, the staff of 4C and Dr. Chris Lata during Gerald’s recent hospital admission. Thank you also to Dr. George Burns and the palliative care team. Many thanks to Rev. Robert Biggar, Rev. Donald MacDonald and Rev. Dr. Thomas Whent for their many recent visits to Gerald.
Visitation will take place on Thursday May 2,2019 from 2-4pm and 7-9pm in Patten Funeral Home 71 Union St Glace Bay. Funeral Service will be held on Friday May 3,2019 at 3pm in Newsom United Church Dominion St, Glace Bay.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in memory of Gerald can be made to the existing scholarship in his name at Glace Bay High School, Newsom United Church, The Cove Guest Home or to a charity of one’s choice.
