Migs was a proud and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and is survived by his wonderful wife Diana (nee Jenkins, married 1948) who supported and took care of him for 71 years, including raising their family when he was at sea or overseas attending United Nations and NATO conferences; their children: Michael (Alison Swick) in Oak Bay, Wendy (Ben) Rotteveel in Kingston, and Barbara (Mark) Norton in Brockville; grandchildren: Evelyn (E.V.) and the late Bryan (Kate Rodrigues) Turner, Michelle (Scott) Arnold, Sandy Fanning and Heather (Nick) Leverty, Joseph (Lori) Norton and Diana (Bruce) Lefebvre; great-grandchildren: Ryleigh and Logan Arnold, Benjamin, Emma and Cassidy Fanning, Addison Leverty, Emerson and Everley Norton, and Maurice and Marion Lefebvre.
Migs was predeceased by his parents, Aileen Sophie Wiglesworth and Maurice William Turner, both born in England, and by his brother Brigadier General Ret’d. William Wiglesworth (Hope) Turner in 2017.
Migs attended St. Michael’s Boy’s School in Oak Bay 1935–40 and University of Toronto Boy’s Schools 1940–43. He served as a Gunner/Lance Bombardier in the 7th Toronto Field Regiment (Reserve) RCA 1940–43 and was a Midshipman in Sea Cadet Corps Temeraire 1942–43. In May 1943, he joined the RCNVR in WWII as an Ordinary Seaman. Commissioned Sub-Lieutenant in 1944, he served on the midocean convoy escort in the corvette HMCS Guelph 1944–45 during the Battle of the Atlantic. (At night in March 1945 in heavy seas off Iceland, Migs jumped overboard to rescue Guelph’s After Lookout Able Seaman Robert Stewart RCNVR.)
After the war, Migs transferred to the RCN, specializing in communications and electronics; served at sea “on exchange” with the USN; commanded HMC Ships New Liskeard (Algerine class Naval Research ship developing Variable Depth Sonar) 1954–56 in the Atlantic, and Saskatchewan (destroyer) 1964–66 in the Pacific and Far East; served with NATO and as a Director of Communications at Naval Headquarters in Ottawa, participating as head of DND delegations to NATO, UN, and other international conferences. Migs joined and served in the Canadian Coast Guard in Ottawa 1974–77 and then relocated to Vancouver 1977–88, where he was Superintendent Vessel Traffic Services (Pacific) and then Regional Manager Fleet Systems (Pacific and Western Arctic).
In his active retirement, Migs was president and past president of the Naval Officers Association on Vancouver Island; founding president of the Retired Coast Guard Officers Association; founder of the Aloha 34 (sailboat) Owners’ International Network; past director of the Victoria Branch Alzheimer Society, the Royal United Services Institute and the Canadian Institute of International Affairs; and member of the Victoria CCG Local Marine Advisory Council, Royal Victoria Yacht Club, Victoria Golf Club, Kiwanis, Victoria PROBUS, Oak Bay PROBUS and St. Mary’s (Oak Bay) Parish Council.
Sailing in their Aloha 34 sailboat Sea Vixen provided considerable enjoyment to Diana and Migs, initially out of Vancouver and later Cadboro Bay, Victoria. When Diana “retired” from sailing to concentrate more on her knitting and other volunteer activities, Migs continued with the crew he had drafted for year-round Saturday sailings, weather permitting. He delighted in sharing photos of his Christmas sails with his eastern Canadian friends.
Our thanks to: staff at Oak Bay Recreation Centre where Migs enjoyed swimming with friends 1989–2014; family, friends, Dr. David Brook and Carlton House staff who made life easier and pleasurable for Diana and Migs in recent years; and the remarkably caring staff of 8S Royal Jubilee Hospital who cared for and comforted Migs during his final days.
At Migs’ request, there will be a private family service at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Salvation Army or Red Cross are most appreciated.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
23 Responses
My condolences to the family. A most true distinguished gentleman.
I met Migs and Mrs Turner through my fathers association with them at St Mary’s Church. One of those families ,if you are fortunate ,to meet by circumstance in this life. Generous with his time and his sailing, definitely the passing of an era. My best wishes to all of the family at this time
Sincerely Peter Hywel Jones
Very sad news indeed. I started my career in VTS under Migs wonderful helm. Migs proved to be a powerful advocate and leader for VTS in Canada. The working relationship I had with Migs continued and flourished after my retirement with many shared memories, articles, jokes and Emails. My most sincere thoughts, condolences and good wishes go to Diana and family. Migs towering presence will be sorely missed; but our memories of him will always be with us.
It was my pleasure to get to know Migs very well after he retired to Victoria.
He was a most honourable man, a gentleman in the true sense of the word.
Always ready and willing to volunteer, to help out.
A very knowledgeable person, endowed with a great sense of humour.
I will miss him greatly.
My wife Daphne joins me in offering deepest condolences to Diana, Michael and the rest of Migs’ family, on their great loss.
George Schober
Diana, Anne joins me in sending our condolences to you and your family on Migs’ death. He was so kind to me when we returned to the Victoria area to commence “retired” life. He was a fine gentleman, a great sailor and an greatly appreciated shipmate.
Most sincerely,
John Anderson
Admiral (Ret’d)
During my membership in the RUSIVI, I was impressed with the calm and sage contributions that Migs offered in all forms of communication. His RCN and Coast Guard services were very helpful in some of the studies entered into matters such as security measures for commercial shipping to and from Canadian ports; in fact, we submitted a joint paper on that subject which was then published by RUSIVI. I do convey my sincere condolences to Diana and their family.
Wendy, I never met your father but this wonderful summary of a life well spent supports the justifiable pride you take as his daughter. Stay strong!
Bill Gately
Captain, S. V. Fruition
Venice, Florida
My condolences to the family. I was a brand new Sub-Lieutenant in SASKATCHEWAN and I remember him well.
He was a true Gentleman and a very good Naval Officer.
Steen Jessen, Oak Bay
Heartfelt condolences to wife, Diana.
Peter Chance
I was sad to read of Mr Turner’s passing. Migs & Diana were institutions in the corner of the Carlton House residence restaurant, enjoyed the courtyard’s sunshine, pleasant to talk with, and good ex-neighbours of my deceased mother Doreen Gage with regular morning banana deliveries. My sympathies to the family.
Jonathan Gage, Son of Doreen Gage