William Ian Mackenzie TURNER Jr.

TURNER, William Ian Mackenzie Jr.
1929 - 2015
William (Bill) Turner died peacefully on November 20, 2015. He had battled declining health for several years. Bill had a very distinguished business career. He moved to Montreal in 1954 and worked for Ingersoll- Rand for nine years. After five years as President of Power Corporation, he led Consolidated-Bathurst for two decades before "retiring" to his private office eyrie in Place Ville Marie. He also served on numerous boards of major Canadian and international corporations. Bill was born in Sharon, Pennsylvania. Shortly thereafter, the family returned to Toronto, where Bill earned a degree in Engineering from the University of Toronto. At Harvard Business School, he met his first wife, Ann (deceased). He is survived by their four children: Bill (Barbara), Julia (Peter), Jamie (Martha) and Carol (Gerard), eleven grandchildren, his brother Peter, and three nephews. In 1989, Bill married Nancy Gray and became an active stepfather to Lisa (Alan), Susan, and Andy (Larcia), and a caring step-grandfather to their ten children. Bill had many keen interests beyond business. He was exceptionally proud of Bishop's University where he served as Chancellor 1987-1995. He was an active supporter and promoter of the arts, particularly the Stratford Festival and Canada Council's Musical Instrument Bank. Bill led a major fundraising campaign in the 1980s for the Royal Victoria Hospital and was inducted into the Order of Canada in 1987. He travelled to all corners of the globe, but still liked nothing more than going to cheer on the Canadiens and the Expos. He was a bon vivant, a raconteur, a connoisseur of Montreal's restaurant scene, and a gracious and generous host. Perhaps his greatest legacy was his ability to demand and inspire high standards, particularly in education, and still treat everyone with decency and respect. A memorial service will take place at 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 28 at Christ Church Cathedral, 635 St. Catherine St. W. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Stratford Festival, www.stratfordfestival.ca.