John M. Turner

John Matthew Turner, a retired firefighter for the town of Westwood, died Saturday, November 19, 2016 at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.  He was 86.  John was born September 8, 1930 in Westwood, the son of Arthur J. and Catherine (Hayes) Turner.  He graduated from Westwood High School and joined the US Air Force.  After the completion of his tour of duty John worked for the Islington Post Office before becoming part of the first force of permanent firefighters hired by the Town of Westwood where he worked for over 30 years until his retirement in 1987.  John is survived by his wife, Nancy L. (MacLaren) Turner;  his daughter, Cynthia J. Mingels, and her husband Jeffrey, of Westwood;  his son, J. Steven Turner, and his wife Gail, of Mansfield; his four grandchildren, Abbey G. Turner of Mansfield, Jaimelyn Cutts, of Plaistow, New Hampshire, Hilary A. Turner of Mansfield, and Joshua T. Mingels, of Dennis; his great granddaughter, Taygen A. Cutts;  his brother, William R. Turner of Norwood; and his sister, Catherine Clancy of Millis. Also survived by his in-laws, H. Packer McLaren, and his wife Barbara, of Oars Island, Maine, Gayle McLaren of Napersville, Illinois, and her late husband Gordon “Skip”, and Diane and William Morris of Oars Island, Maine, as well as many nieces, nephews and other extended family.  He was the brother of the late Arthur J. Turner and the late Mary Eckels.  Visiting hours will be held Tuesday, November 22, 2016 from 4 to 8 pm at the Folsom Funeral Home, 649 High Street, Westwood.  Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the funeral home Wednesday at 10 am and proceed to St. Timothy’s Church, 650 Nichols Street, Norwood for his Mass of Christian Burial at 11 o clock.  Interment with military honors will follow in New Westwood Cemetery, Westwood.  In lieu of flowers donations to Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital, Office of Development, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215 or online at www.bidmc/give-to-bidmc.aspx would be appreciated.