ARTHUR – This community has lost a tireless advocate with the death of Ian Turner.
He passed away at his home in Arthur on May 11, after an 11-year battle with cancer. He was 73.
“It’s a big loss to the whole community,” said longtime friend Jack Benham, mentioning Turner’s roles with the Arthur Historical Society and the local trails committee.
“He was a great lad; any project we had, he wanted to be on it.”
Wellington North Mayor Andy Lennox agreed.
“It’s certainly going to be a blow to those two initiatives,” Lennox said.
Describing Turner as “an enthusiastic and tireless guy who really enjoyed history and the outdoors,” Lennox stressed, “I don’t think … we can ever replace him.”
Partner and friend Faye Craig said Turner was a loving and fun guy to all who knew him.
“I feel, and I think everyone feels, they have been, and always will be, a student in Ian’s classroom of knowledge, friendship and kindness,” said Craig.
Survived by his three sons Brett (and his wife Julie), Dave (Danielle) and Sean, as well as six grandchildren, Turner received the Senate 150 Award in 2017 for community leadership and volunteerism.
He received the Mount Forest Legion Award in 2010 and had also won an Everyday Hero Award from the Upper Grand District School Board.
In addition to roles on the historical society and trails committee, Turner was a volunteer driver for the Canadian Cancer Society and a volunteer with Victim Services, as well as a past president of the Arthur Lions Club and an elder at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Arthur.
“All the groups he spent his time with will miss him, as will we,” noted Lennox.
Turner grew up in Etobicoke as an only child, so it wasn’t long before sports became a big part of his life.
After graduating from Royal York Collegiate Institute, Turner attended York University where, in addition to earning his Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in history, he also played varsity tennis and rugby.
From there he went to the University of Toronto’s Bachelor of Education program to become a certified teacher. Upon graduating in 1972, Turner worked at Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute for one year before moving on to teach for two years in Chapleau, located between Timmins and Wawa.
Turner then taught at Centre Wellington District High School in Fergus until 1989, when he became head of the history department at the high school in Mount Forest (now known as Wellington Heights Secondary School).
He retired from that job in 2010 after an exemplary career that included numerous coaching jobs, including rugby, basketball, soccer and tennis.
“I always considered it part of my job,” he once told the Advertiser, noting he felt that if he coached his own boys, he should do the same for others.
“I’m just trying to do the job … I enjoy people and I enjoy my students,” Turner said. “I never thought I was anyone special.”
Those who knew Turner disagree, pointing out he always made time for his players/students, friends, family and the community – even when he had cancer.
Benham noted that when Turner got too sick to physically help with trail projects, he always showed up with snacks and refreshments for the volunteers.
“I’m really going to miss him,” said Benham.
One indication of Turner’s impact was an emotional parade of former teaching colleagues that drove by his home about a week before he died. The procession, organized by Steve Beggs, included dozens of vehicles, with participants offering poignant messages.
“Everyone had tears in their eyes,” noted Craig. “Ian really appreciated it.”
Turner will be cremated and buried alongside his parents at Little Lake Cemetery in Peterborough. A public memorial service will be held at a later date.
For those wanting to express sympathy, the family appreciates donations to St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Arthur or to the Canadian Cancer Society.
