Jack Turner

A celebration of life will be held at St. Ann’s Parish in Flin Flon on Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. from St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church 163 Centre Street, Flin Flon, Manitoba with Father Bringleson officiating.

The internment of his ashes will be private at a later date.

https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=2a5983a3-1c3a-42d5-886f-da4442deb9cd

The Celebration of Life for Jack Turner will be livestreamed. Please click on the above link to preregister to view the livestream ceremony. If you have any questions or would like assistance please call 1-877-895-2739.

John (Jack) Youal Turner, 84, of Flin Flon and Winnipeg, Manitoba, passed away on April 10th at Extendicare Oakview Place in Winnipeg.

Jack was born on Dec 24, 1939, in Winnipegosis, MB to Suinn (nee Johnson) and John (Jack) Turner.  His mother was a midwife and his father was a teacher and then postmaster.  He grew up in farm country surrounded by Johnson family members in Winnipegosis, and then with Turner family in Wellwood, MB where he spent the summers during WW2 living with his grandparents.

Jack had a life-long affair with hockey.  His professional career began in 1958 with the Flin Flon Bombers, followed by Minneapolis, Sudbury, Syracuse/St. Louis, Edmonton/Calgary, Buffalo, Columbus & ending with Flint in 1972.  Jack’s two seasons with the Flin Flon Warriors (1964-1966) included winning the Dominion Championship that earned them a spot in the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame.  After retiring from professional play, Jack obtained his industrial mechanic certification and worked for HBM&S from the early 1970s until 2004. 

As much as hockey was a big part of his life, family was by far the most important thing.  Jack made Flin Flon his home, marrying Norma Senyk in 1962, raising their two children Debbie & Dan, and making many happy memories and stories throughout their 40 years of marriage.

Jack’s passion for hockey continued throughout his life, where he inspired young players as coach of the Flin Flon Junior Bombers (1973-1978), and as assistant coach and coach of the Flin Flon Bombers (1975-1977, 1979-1981).  He also played with the Flin Flon Old Time Bombers from 1978-2005 and volunteered with their many community support efforts over the decades.  Upon retiring, he continued to play with several teams in Stonewall and Winnipeg until hanging up his skates in 2020 at the age of 80.

Jack and Jo-Ann married in July, 2004, and shared 20 years together dividing their time between Winnipeg winters, Flin Flon summers, and traveling throughout North America and abroad. 

In addition to spending time with his and Norma’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren, he was also a big part of the lives of Jo-Ann’s family in Winnipeg and Flin Flon, whether it was shuttling kids to school and sports, enjoying the company of a good meal, or the teachable moments that came up from time to time.

Jack was predeceased by his parents, John & Suinn, his sister Corinne, and his wife, Norma.  Jack is survived by his wife, Jo-Ann, siblings Joan (Henry Neufeld), Dawn (& Harley Klatt), & Fred (& Karen) Turner; his children Debbie (& Scott Reeves), Dan (& Terri) Turner, grandchildren Jed, Kyle (& Landis), Alexis, and Ashley; great-grandchildren Addi & Olive; and by Tanis & Patrick Lengyel, Betty Blatz (& Don Jennings), Madeline (& Pete Miedema) and Ben Lengyel, Kyle Blatz, Elise Polegato & Kaysen Blatz.

To say Jack was a hard worker is an understatement, Jack had a legendary strength and drive unequaled by most.  He lived a full life on the principle of enjoying hard work, but he was also a gentleman and a caring person who loved life, family, sharing, helping others, joking, and dancing.  He earned the respect of family, friends, and co-workers leading by example and is remembered fondly by all who knew him.  He will live on in all our hearts and will help us to remember to live and love by the examples he set throughout his life.