Paul Leslie Turner

Paul Leslie Turner, quietly at the age of 76, in care at The Monfort Hospital
in Ottawa on April 13, 2020. Adored husband of 53 years to his teenage-sweetheart Gayle (nee Grinstead); treasured Dad to Elizabeth (Luke Chenier), Catherine (Robert Gallant), Richard (Karen Bromley), and Sandra (Bruce MacRae); and loving Grampa/Poppa to Hannah, Cameron, Isabelle, Leslie, Chelsea, and Emily. Paul, son of Leslie and Leonie Turner (nee Bessette) was born and raised in Verdun, Quebec with his brother Robin. As a young lad, Paul learned to play the bagpipes and joined the Cadet Corps and then the Reserve Unit of the Black Watch (RHR) of Canada until 1971, becoming a Life Member of the Regimental Pipe Band. Paul began a 35-year career with Bell Canada in 1962 that would see him and his young family move to Ottawa in 1971. Living for more than 45 years in the community of Blackburn Hamlet, Paul focused his time on his family and work.  Along the way, he volunteered with the local Scouts Canada Cub Pack, coached soccer, joined a recreational curling club, and, with a group of friends, played regular poker games that often saw more time spent exchanging recipes
than playing cards. Words cannot adequately express how much Paul meant to his family and friends. He was an old soul whose quiet, steady ways set the path for all of us to follow. His passing leaves a great hole in our hearts but our memories of this decent, kind, man will keep us smiling and moving forward.

The time has come, the Walrus said,
To talk of many things
Of shoes – of ships – and sealing wax
Of cabbages – and kings –
And why the sea is boiling hot –
And whether pigs have wings
Kalloo-Kallay – no work today
We’re cabbages and kings