| W. Edward Turner |
| By Phillip R Smith | |
| April 28, 2010 | |
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W. Edward Turner (1918-2010) W. Edward Turner, formerly of Ashville, N.Y., died Saturday morning, April 10, 2010 at Heritage Village in Jamestown, N.Y. He was 92. He was born March 9, 1918 in Randolph, N.Y., the son of Walter H. and Gertrude (Fox) Turner. He graduated from Falconer (N.Y.) High School and Fredonia (N.Y.) State College. He later received masters' degrees from Fredonia State College and New York University. He served as a music instructor - first in the Arcade (N.Y.) school system and then in the Southwestern Central School System in Jamestown for 27 years. As band leader and music director at Southwestern Central High School, he wrote the school's alma mater. He retired in 1973 and opened Turner Music Studio. He returned to teaching at age 80 as band director of Holy Family Catholic School. An active musician, who was once hired by the state of New York to write a book about French horn playing, Mr. Turner had performed with a touring Broadway musical, the Hamilton Symphony Orchestra, and started several of his own bands.He performed as a soloist at hundreds of concerts. He is perhaps best remembered for his American Eagle Dixieland Band, which played extensively in the Jamestown area. He performed with the Jamestown Municipal Band and the Jamestown Civic Orchestra, which he directed. Although he enjoyed composing and arranging music, he mostly loved playing. In June 2009, he was honored as one of the founders of the Chautauqua County Music Teachers Association Festival in New York. Mr. Turner loved chess and became a USCF member, playing in his first-rated tournament at the Jamestown Chess Club in September 2005. He played in many tournaments at the Jamestown club and occasionally at the Archangel Chess Academy in Buffalo, N.Y. Even after he turned 90, he continued to play at the Jamestown CC - competing in his last tournament there in September 2008. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Marabel (King) Turner; six children, Ruth Wahl of Napoli, N.Y.; Tim Turner of Canton, Texas; Lauren Turner of Warsaw, N.Y.; Molly Golando of Sheridan, N.Y.; Paul Turner of Willoughby, Ohio; and Margaret Hallberg of Jamestown; 13 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren; and a younger sister, Rachel Turner. A funeral service was held April 14 in Lind Funeral Home in Jamestown, followed by burial in Sunset Hill Cemetery in Bush, N.Y. Obituary submitted by George Mirijanian, Massachusetts Chess Association W. Edward Turner - may you rest in peace. |