Arthur James Turland
September 17, 1921 – February 07, 2018
Arthur James Turland of Kincardine, beloved husband of (Edith) Norine Farrell (d. Jan. 2017), passed away in his 97th year on February 7, 2018, at Tiverton Park Manor. Survived and fondly remembered by all seven of his children, Rosemary (Ed) Addison, George, Charles (Rhonda), James (Becky Grevison), Susan (Bernard Joli d. Dec. 2015), Robert (Eve) and Brenda (Bob) Colquhoun, as well as Carol Besler. Proud grandfather of 16 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren and uncle to Peter, Jane and Richard Waite, Helen Turland (Jonathan Sharratt), and Sam, John and Paul Farrell. Arthur was predeceased by an older brother, Frank, who died at age 7, as well as younger twin brothers, George and Charles, and sister Evelyn.
Arthur was born in Stotfold, Bedfordshire, England, to Rosetta (Brown) and Frank Turland, a county policeman. Arthur finished school at age 14 and worked for a short time in a shoe store and then as an apprentice draftsman at Stewartby Brickworks. In August 1939, with war imminent, he joined the Royal Air Force just before his 18th birthday and embarked on two years of electronics training followed by a tour of duty to the Mediterranean. Later in the war, when pilots were needed, he came to Canada as part of the Commonwealth Air Training Scheme. He underwent pilot training in Saskatchewan, and was assigned to instruct new recruits in radar communications at the Air Navigation School in Port Albert, Ontario. During the summer of ‘44, he met the love of his life, Norine Farrell, at a dance at the Kincardine Pavilion. They married in February ’45 just before he was reassigned to the Isle of Man to maintain a signal tower for British pilots.
At the end of the war, Arthur returned to Kincardine, his wife and his large new extended Canadian family. He was grateful for the freedom and opportunities Canada offered and embraced his new life here; he loved the outdoors, and filled his days and years with gardening, camping, fishing and other outdoor pursuits. He preferred a rustic picnic on the beach to a fancy restaurant.
Arthur started out running a radio/television repair shop in Kincardine. He was then hired as an instructor at the Clinton Air Force Base and moved his growing family to Bayfield and then to Goderich. When the Clinton base closed, the family returned to Kincardine. Arthur then worked for the Huron County Board of Education based out of F.E. Madill High School in Wingham. He enjoyed travelling the back roads to all the county schools keeping their audio-visual equipment and sound systems in good repair until he retired.
Over the years, Arthur volunteered with the Scouts, Kinsmen, as well as Kincardine Old Boys’ reunions. Arthur was a proud member of the Legion. He was also an active member of the Kincardine and Ripley horticultural clubs and a district representative of the Ontario Horticultural Association. For his efforts, he was honoured with the planting of a tree on the Kincardine hospital property.
The family would like to extend deepest heartfelt thanks to the incredible Tiverton Park Manor staff–each and every one–for the affection, professional care and respect so graciously given to Arthur throughout his time there. Sincere thanks to Drs. Knox and Murray and CCAC staff for their support and care and to Legion Padre Williams for his comforting visits during Arthur’s final weeks.
Celebration of Life for Arthur on Saturday, February 24th at Royal Canadian Legion, MacDonald Branch, 219 Lambton Street, Kincardine. Visitation at 1:00, formalities beginning at 2:00 with visiting and refreshments following. Memorial donations to the Kincardine Scottish Pipe band, the Huron Shores Hospice or charity of your choice would be appreciated in lieu of flowers.