Obituary: Donald B. Turner Jr., 74, of Middletown

From D'Angelo Funeral Home

Donald B. Turner, Jr., 74, of Middletown CT and Naples, FL, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, December 6th, 2016 surrounded by his loving family.

Donald was born June 3, 1942, the eldest of eight children born to the late Donald B. Turner, Sr. and Rita Maxwell Turner. He was predeceased by his brother Martin Turner. He was a student at St. John’s school and played for the Eagles where he won the Pat Kidney Little League batting championship with a .478 batting average.

Donald graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1960, where he lettered in Cross Country, Basketball, and Track. Donald loved to recall the last race of his high school career where he edged out a rival runner, winning the mile, with his younger brother Brian finishing third to secure the city title and beat Middletown High by a point. He fondly remembered the epic basketball games against Middletown High at Wesleyan cage.

Donald remained active and fit throughout his life. Donald joined the CT National Guard in 1963 where he achieved the rank of staff sergeant, receiving an honorable discharge in 1969. Donald eventually joined his father in the family business. Turner & Sons Roofing & Siding was a great source of pride for Donald and it fit his talents well. Don helped to build the business with his many brothers. In the early 1970s and with a young family of his own, Don stepped away from Turner and Sons to start a new business.

The Don Turner Siding Company became a leading contractor in Central Connecticut serving both public and private entities, including municipalities, their respective housing authorities and The State of Connecticut.

Various property management companies, multi-family developers and condominiums associations also called on Donald for his expertise. He enjoyed a long and well respected career in the construction industry and semi-retired to Naples, Florida in 1995 where honed his skills as a day trader.

Donald found time to become a civil servant and volunteer. He loved politics and was elected to the Middletown Common Council in November of 1971 and served one term. He took great pride in his duties serving on both the Public Works and Insurance Commissions.

Don mentored several student athletes throughout his life. He enjoyed many winning seasons coaching his son’s baseball teams and District 9 “Police” All Stars. He was proud of his contributions either managing or coaching his three State Championship Senior Little League teams, he would become a fixture in the New England regional tournament as the one constant piece of the puzzle.

Most of all he cherished the relationships he formed with his players and peers and none more important than his collaboration with fellow coach Tom D’Aquila. Many of Donald’s former players went on to successful high school and collegiate baseball careers, many of whom are now enshrined in the Middletown Sports Hall of Fame.

Donald’s Little League coaching record stands at 126-6. In Naples, he would continue to volunteer his time scouting opposing basketball teams for the Community School of Naples where he was an ardent supporter of the girls’ basketball team.

In 1987, continuing to give back to the community that had given him so much, Donald decided to search for a young man that he could mentor and put through Xavier High School. But only for his counterpart and handful of people, mostly Xavier Administration, this amazing gesture remained anonymous, that is until 1999. Ronnie Hendrix decided to reveal his benefactor and recognize Donald in the media. Ronnie was quoted as follows, “Remember those who are instrumental to you, and in turn give back. I didn’t know I would be here today, but I thank God I am.”

Donald always gave back and Ronnie gave his all, finishing sixth in his class at Xavier and going on to graduate from Yale.

Donald was an exceptional golfer and annually visited the Doral resort in Miami with a group of local business friends and associates. Donald would often be paired with VIP guests. He was honored to have played rounds of golf with Joe DiMaggio and Jim Rice.

Through his many relationships at Doral, Donald became friends with future LPGA Hall of Famer Pat Bradley, with whom he would log practice round after practice round with, as she prepared for her debut on tour.

Donald would also compete in the GHO Pro-Am when it was held at the Wethersfield C.C. He scored four hole-in-ones! One of those aces came during a charity golf event and earned him a brand new Thunderbird automobile. He was a relentless competitor and in the winter he cherished his daily golf matches and gin games with his many friends that called Fox Fire Country Club home.

In the summer, he looked forward to his annual treks to the Saratoga meet and Yankee Stadium. He attended mass every morning whether he was in Connecticut or Florida. He loved his many friends and was a deeply caring man. He was big on action and knew how to win and liked winners. He rooted for UCONN Basketball, The Miami Hurricanes, the Dolphins, and his ultimate team, the N.Y. Yankees.

His greatest joy was his three grandchildren. As soon as they could walk, he put a putter in their hands, a baseball, a soccer ball; it didn’t matter what sport they liked, he was there to make a game of it.

For the last couple of years of his life, he was forced to become a spectator, a position that he wasn’t used to playing. Yet, he still didn’t miss a game, and he never gave up always focusing on his grandchildren and a new day.

Donald is survived by his loving son, Michael J. Turner, his wife Maria Dominello Turner, and his three beloved grandchildren, Nicholas, Lauren and Christian Turner. He also leaves his former wife and best friend Rosemarie Vinci and his “pop” Joe Vinci Sr., his five brothers, John Hayden Turner and his wife Linda of Middletown, Brian Turner and his wife Penny of Glastonbury, Robert Turner and his wife Carol of Glastonbury, Merrill Turner and his wife Peg, David Turner of Grapevine, TX, his sister Pamela Mattaini and her husband Paul of Lancaster, PA, his sister-in-law Beth Turner of Stratford, CT and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to Middletown Hospice nurses and aides for their compassionate care in his final days.

To leave online condolences, visit D'Angelo Funeral Home here.

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