Pink Turner passed away Monday, December 29, 2014 at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield. He had been admitted on Friday, December 26. Pink had resided at Laurel Lake assisted living facility in Lee with his wife Theresa since February 2014.
He was a true family man and provider devoted to his wife, his children, grandchildren and extended family. Pink and Theresa were married on June 9, 1951 and were life long residents of Egremont where they raised four children.
Born April 23, 1930 Pink was raised on the family farm in Egremont as one of three children of William and Louise (Baldwin) Turner. After graduating from the former Searles High School in 1947 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was stationed aboard the USS Buck and on bases in San Diego, Calif., and Great Lakes Illinois. He often spoke fondly of the experiences that the Navy provided him and the opportunity to visit distant parts of the world.
Pink was a long-time member and past chief of the Egremont Volunteer Fire Department.
Pink’s working career included many years on the family dairy farm starting with his father and continuing with his brother Fred. He made a career change and trained to become a die maker with the Sheffield Plastics Company. After another career change Pink joined Country Curtains at their Lee facility as supervisor for buildings and grounds until his retirement in 1992.
Among Pink’s many interests and pastimes he was a farmer at heart. He kept a keen eye on activities at the neighboring Turner Farm operated by his nephews Bill, Paul and Daryl. He took great pride in his gardening skills always raising more than needed so to share with family and friends. He loved buying, refurbishing and reselling old Farmall cub tractors and the many acquaintances he made as a result of these.
He was an avid hunter and member of the Egremont Rod & Gun Club with his favorite being turkey season. He greatly missed his lifelong best friend and hunting buddy Ace Curtis.
Although Pink has a great many friends and family members his greatest love was his “crew.” He is survived by his wife Theresa F. Turner, daughters Sally A. Turner and partner Michael Dolinish of New Marlborough, Mass.; Michele M. Turner of Lee; Susan Jurgenson and husband Tod of Egremont; and son Robert W. Turner Jr. and wife Marilucia of Egremont. Pink is also survived by grandchildren Matthew R. Turner, Lindsay E. Turner and Andrew C. Jurgenson. Pink also leaves his sister Betty Duryea and was predeceased by his brother Fredrick I. Turner.
Family will receive friends for a Celebration of Pink’s Life on Friday, January 2, from 3-6 p.m. at the BIRCHES-ROY FUNERAL HOME. Burial with Military Honors with Deacon Richard Magenis officiating will be Saturday, January 3, at 11 a.m. in Town House Hill Cemetery, Egremont. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in Pink’s memory may be made to the South Egremont Volunteer Fire Department in care of the funeral home at 33 South St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. Condolences may be made through birchesroyfuneralservices.com.
