David Turner died peacefully on May 31, 2024, while in palliative care at the Charlotte County Hospital in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada. This was after more than 20 years living valiantly with Parkinson’s. He was born Feb. 10, 1941, in Croydon, UK, to parents George John Turner of Leicester Sussex and Hilda Burgess of Kent, UK. He was married to the Rev. Carole Martignacco.
David joined the Royal Marines as a bugle boy at the age of 15; he was a fitness trainer and served in active duty in Borneo, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Malta, and Northern Ireland. In 1976 he immigrated to Canada and took a position as Cadet Commander at Bishop’s College School in Sherbrooke Quebec where he also served as Athletic Director, and Houseparent. He retired in 2005 as Deputy Headmaster.
He is the recipient of several accolades, medals, and awards, notably the Queen’s Jubilee Award in 2002. In 2019 David and Carole moved from North Hatley to the coastal town of St. Andrews in New Brunswick.
David is survived by his loving wife Carole; sons Clifford (Suzanna), Darren, daughter-in-law Shelley Hughes; previous wife Patricia; and stepchildren Michael and Diana Henderson. David is mourned also by stepdaughters Maria, Anna, Lisa and Juliana Martignacco; his brother Malcolm Horsley and sister Wendy Shaw-Kew, and 8 grandchildren. Major Turner is fondly remembered by numerous past students and colleagues from his nearly 30 years at Bishop’s College School, as well as many friends in the Quebec Eastern Townships and in St. Andrews NB.
A memorial was held in St. Andrews on August 25. A second service will be held 1 pm EDT, September 28 at Bishop’s College School in Sherbrooke Quebec. The family appreciates the medical team at Charlotte County Hospital for their excellent care in his last days, and all the kind wishes of family, friends and this supportive maritime community.
In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to the David Turner Scholarship at Bishop’s College School to honour and continue Major Turner’s legacy of steadfast and selfless leadership.