DONALD ARTHUR TURNER

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DONALD ARTHUR TURNER With broken hearts, we announce the death of Donald Arthur Turner on June 19, 2011 after a brief illness. Don was born on May 23, 1938 in Brandon, Manitoba and lived in Forest, Manitoba where his father was employed as the elevator agent for Manitoba Pool. In 1942, Don and his parents, George and Uriel moved to Winnipeg. Don remained in East Kildonan for the rest of his life and together with his wife, Lorraine, they raised their family in the neighbourhood. Don attended Miles Macdonell Collegiate where he made many close friends and was student council president. While at Miles Mac, Don started work at the T. Eaton Company, parking cars and later in the men's clothing department. It was at Eaton's that Don met and fell in love with Lorraine. After graduating, Don attended United College and then the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Manitoba. Don articled at Millar, Macdonald and Deloitte, Plender, Haskins Sells. In 1960, Don decided that he wanted to run his own business and purchased Anchor Marine Ltd., a St. Boniface marina. In 1964, Don formed Custom Fibreglass Ltd., a manufacturer of agricultural products. In 1966, Custom Fibreglass Ltd. and K.A. Powell Ltd. formed International Fibreglass Ltd. where Don was Vice-President and General Manager. In 1973, International Fibreglass Ltd. was sold and Don and Lorraine formed Glas-Tech Ltd., making automotive parts and boats. In 1975, Donald formed Western Dust Control Ltd., a company that designed and built dust control systems for grain elevators. Don's focus changed dramatically in 1990 to the medical equipment business, with Turner and Associates and later with HIM Ltd. Don also spent a great deal of time assisting Lorraine with her florist business. During the last few years and until the days leading up to his death, Don had been acting as a consultant assisting other businesses as well as being involved in new ventures. Donald's family is extremely proud of his accomplishments and the efforts he made to provide for them. To his family, he leaves a legacy of optimism, hard-work and a belief that nothing is impossible. Left behind to mourn his loss are Don's wife of 49 years, Lorraine (Kyan); his three children, Jeffrey (Kristin), Jamie (Elizaveta) and Tracey; his grand-children, Miranda, Sapphire, Kate, Max, Robin and Eli and Max's mother, Lisa Butterworth. During recent years, Donald spent a great deal of time enjoying his grandchildren, particularly at the cottage at Jessica Lake. He will be deeply missed by them. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service for the immediate family will take place in the coming weeks. When he shall die take him and cut him out in little stars and he will make the face of heaven so fine that all the world will be in love with night, and pay no worship to the garish sun. - William Shakespeare

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 09, 2011