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JACK TURNER
Jack Turner passed away peacefully at dawn on St. Andrews Day, Sunday, November 30, 2025, with his family by his side at the Riverview Health Centre in Winnipeg. He was predeceased by his father Jack in 1961, his mother Grace in 1993, his Uncle Bill and Auntie Mary Higgins, cousin Alec; and George, Elizabeth, Douglas and Adeline Shields; George Grant and other paternal family in Ayrshire, Scotland.
Jack is survived by his loving wife Moira, (whom he met on holiday in Rothesay in 1962), their daughter Lesley, husband Tom, granddaughter Mirella, grandson Lachlan and their pup Skittles; his son Colin, grandson Duncan, granddaughter Leigh. He is also survived by his dear cousins Maureen Bowie, Jim and Bill Higgins in London, England; his nieces Jill (Derek) Ritchie and Claire Walters and all of their families. He is also survived by his son-in-law Tom’s family, Maria, Ugo and Liana; and a large group of friends from their many social groups he and Moira belonged to including fellow members and employees of Southwood G&CC who he dearly loved to spend time with.
Jack was born in Central Glasgow in 1941 and was raised a few hundred yards from the River Clyde. His father was a skilled tradesman engaged in the ship building industry that dominated the area during the war years and beyond, his mother also worked in support of the war effort. Glasgow was frequently bombed in the early 1940’s and Jack was no stranger to bomb shelters. Putting his early war years aside, Jack had a very happy and loving upbringing. His family lived next door to his Auntie Mary and Uncle Bill. Their children Bill, Alec and Jim were like brothers to him and Maureen a sister. They were a tight knit crew and in the mid 50’s to early 60’s they formed their own band playing songs by artists such as Buddy Holly, the Everly Brothers and early Beatles numbers for family and friends, Jack played electric guitar.
He started his professional career as a Tool & Die apprentice for Euclid in Scotland which became TEREX, the earth moving equipment division of General Motors based in Ohio, USA. His post-secondary engineering education was done at Stow College, now called Glasgow Kelvin College and he also trained weekly at Glasgow University. During a Terex business trip to Ohio in the mid 1970’s, Jack was asked about doing a family exchange program to live and work in the USA for a term, which he declined, but his trip to North America upon further reflection, awakened a desire in him to immigrate with his family for new opportunities.
In 1979 he was approached to take a job with Versatile Tractors in Winnipeg, and this time he didn’t say no. Arriving in Winnipeg, on Canada Day, July 1, 1980 at 39 years old with family in tow, Jack instantly knew he’d made the right move. He also brought his mother Grace to Winnipeg to live with our family in 1983 which pleased us greatly. He had a successful 26-year career at Versatile Tractors, retiring in June 2006 on his 65th birthday.
Jack was a lifelong golfer. He learned the game with his cousins at Littlehill Golf Course in Glasgow and was a long term member of Easter Moffatt Golf Club in Airdrie, Scotland and Southwood G&CC at the (Old Course) on the grounds of the University of Manitoba and at the (New Course) located in St. Norbert. His son’s involvement in the Club relocation process was an immense source of pride for Jack.
He coached soccer, bowled, curled, won a few quarters at “choir practice”, found a few golf balls along the way and became an expert hockey, basketball, volleyball and golf fan to cheer on his children and grandchildren in their athletic pursuits across Canada and the US Mid-west. He was extremely proud of their academic and athletic achievements.
Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in December of 2022, his journey was challenging, but he never complained even as he slipped further away from the Jack everyone new and respected. Jack spent a brief time at Tuxedo Villa Extendicare for which we are very thankful.
In May of 2024 he transitioned to Riverview Health Care Centre. Our family would like to thank the dedicated staff there, each and every one of them for their tremendous love and care provided to Jack over the past 18 months. It was clear to us he was their family as much as he was ours.
Jack was a proud Scot, a proud Brit and a proud Canadian, he would often say his only regret in life was that he didn’t move to Canada when he was 29 years old rather than 39 but in the end it didn’t matter.
Rest easy Jack, you were a great son, husband, father and grandfather. You lived a great life and you were a great friend to many.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the Riverview Health Centre Foundation or the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba. A Celebration of Jack’s Life will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 1:00 p.m., at Southwood Golf & Country Club, 80 Rue des Ruines du Monastere, Winnipeg. Please join us.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 13, 2025
