Turner, James

The Reverend Father James Turner M,I,D, C.D Rev. James Turner, age 90 years, passed away in St. Joseph's Hospital on Saturday, October 3, 2009. Born in Hyde, Cheshire, England on November 16, 1918, the son of Harry and Annie Turner, he was raised and educated there. He worked for several years as a Laboratory Technician with the Imperial Chemical Industries and was a member of the Church Army of England. At the outbreak of the 2nd World War he enlisted in the North Straffordshire Ordnance Corps as a Regimental Clerk Class 1. In 1943 he was "Mentioned in Dispatches" by the King for distinguished service. He was demobilized in 1946. In 1947 James married Miss Ethel Garred of Hyde. On resuming his church life he became a licensed Lay-Reader at his parish church. In 1950 he studied for the Anglican priesthood at the College of Brotherhood of St. Paul, Yorkshire. In 1952 he and Ethel came to Canada where he was ordained Deacon by the Bishop of Algoma and then to the Priesthood the following year. His time in ministry was spent entirely in the Diocese of Algoma, serving parishes in Schreiber, Gravenhurst, Port Arthur, West Thunder Bay and Capreol, before returning to Thunder Bay upon his retirement in 1984. During his time with Diocese he held the position of Rural Dean of Thunder Bay as well as serving as the Secretary to the Diocesan Synod. For 17 years he was the Chaplain to the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps "Vindictive" in Thunder Bay and was the Legion Padre for Port Arthur Branch #5. He held the rank of Naval Lieutenant and was awarded the Canadian Forces Decoration Medal for his service with the Cadets. Rev. Turner was a former member of the Royal Canadian Naval Officers Association, and a life member of both the Canadian Legion Imperial Vets, and the Provincial Paper Ex-Servicemen's Association. From 1978 to 1984 he served as the Civilian Officiating Chaplain to the Canadian Forces Radar Station "Falconbridge" in Sudbury. He is survived by his wife Ethel, son Geoffrey, daughter-in-law Deborah Victor, grandchildren Katie and George, great granddaughter Kirsi as well as by relatives in England. He was predeceased by his parents. A Memorial Service celebrating the life of Rev. James Turner will be held on Thursday, October 8, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. in St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, Pearl Street, with The Right Rev. Stephen Andrews, Bishop of Algoma, presiding and Archdeacon Mark S. Conliffe, Rev. Michael Dunnill and Rev. Mary Lucas assisting. Interment will take place in St. James Cemetery. Arrangements in care of the Sargent & Son Funeral Directors, 21 N. Court Street. In lieu of flowers memorials to St. John's Anglican Church would be appreciated. On-line condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com.