William TURKO

TURKO, William 2008-08-28 TURKO Mr. William “Bill” Turko, age 81 years, resident of Thunder Bay, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 at Thunder Bay Regional Hospital with his family by his side. Bill was born on August 29, 1926 in Sedec Belski, Poland. In March 1943 he started working for the Canadian Pacific Railway, where he worked for 43 years, retiring in December 1986 as Car Foreman in Thunder Bay. On May 25, 1949 he married Frances Hauck in Moose Jaw Saskatchewan, where they resided until moving to Outlook, Saskatchewan in 1956. In 1960 they moved to Ignace and finally to Fort William in 1965, where they resided until the present time. He was a member of the Fort William Curling Club, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 6 and Elks Lodge BPOE No 82 of Canada. Bill enjoyed golfing, curling, going to Victoriaville and meeting with the boys and playing crib at the Fort William Curling Club. He also enjoyed his many years in the summer at Silver Islet. He leaves to cherish his memory his son and two daughters, Ken (Mary Ann) Turko and their children Kristin (Unionville) and Lindsay and Matt Clare (Burlington), Diane Johanson and her daughter Cheryl, Shirley Van Dyk (Calgary) and her children, John (Perth, Australia), David and Elizabeth (Calgary). Also special to Bill were Melissa (John), Cynthia (David), Andy (Elizabeth) and Simon (Kristin), two sisters, Anne (Ed) Koshman (Regina) and Mary (John) Milton (Red Deer), sister-in-law Betty Turko (Victoria), Pauline (Archie) Stern (Saskatoon), son-in-law Don Van Dyk and other numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives. He was predeceased by his wife Frances Turko, father Stefan Turko, mother Petrunela Klymchuk, step-father Ted Klymchuk, brothers John and Harry and son-in law Oswald “Ozzie” Johanson. Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 29, 2008 where family and friends will gather for Mass at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick‘s Cathedral, celebrated by Rev. Msgr. P.M. Stilla V.G. Interment will follow in St. Andrew‘s Cemetery. Removal will be made from the Blake Funeral Chapel prior to Mass time. Prayers will be offered on Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. in the Blake Funeral Chapel. If friends desire memorials to the Canadian Diabetic Association, the Epilepsy Foundation or the charity of your choice would be appreciated. A tree will be planted in memory of William Turko in the Blake Funeral Chapel Memorial Grove. Annual dedication service Sunday, June 28, 2009.