Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
Carl TURKSTRA Obituary
Husband to Kate Turkstra, father to Peter (Karen Turkstra) and Jennifer Turkstra (Matthew Soar), grandfather to Sarah, Laura, Kate, and Max. He is predeceased by proud immigrant parents, Peter, and Tina Turkstra. Carl is survived by his siblings, Herman Turkstra, Clifford Turkstra and Marlene Verduyn.
Married for 60 years, he knew that he "married up" and idolized his wife, Kate. When she was heartbreakingly slowed by Alzheimer's, he stayed by her side for as long as was feasible. Once they were together again at Amica, he would light up whenever he was in her company.
While the joys of physical exercise eluded him, Carl's intellectual curiosity and energy were boundless. An avid reader, he also appreciated a great steak and a good martini, but, as many of his guests can confirm, he also had a remarkable affinity for truly terrible coffee.
Professionally, Carl switched from a successful career in academia to the family business, Turkstra Lumber, in 1989. His timing could have been better as he arrived during the most significant construction recession since the Depression. Carl buckled down and transformed the company. He cared passionately about the employees at Turkstra Lumber and was instrumental in introducing benefits and a pension plan that was, at the time, unheard of in the retail lumber industry.
Together, Carl and Kate helped transform the face and funding of Hamilton's vital Arts institutions. Having lived in London, Montreal, and New York, they believed passionately that any modern city needs to have a thriving arts culture. He then created and funded the Incite Foundation for the Arts. To this day, Incite continues to support a wide variety of arts, education and music programs both large and small.
Carl was cremated through Circle of Life Cremation and Burial Centre in Dundas. Always the engineer, he asked that his ashes be spread at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge. Second only to his love for his wife, he loved his engineering ring.
Our family wishes to thank Dr. Macaluso, Dr. Margetts, the wonderful dialysis nursing team, the caring nurses, kind personal support staff and the entire team at Amica. The coordinated effort to put the focus on Carl's last days was handled with dignity and compassion. We would also be remiss if we didn't recognize the dedication and care demonstrated by Liz Stirling and Rita MacDonald.
A "right proper" celebration of his life, recognizing his accomplishments, will be held later this summer or fall. A group of passionate friends and family will organize the event, and they will be sure to invite the community to celebrate Carl's extraordinary contributions and his life.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your favourite charity related to the Arts Community in Hamilton. Incite Foundation for the Arts can be viewed at www.incitefoundation.ca
Condolences, memories, and photos may be left at www.circleoflifecbc.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Carl TURKSTRA
6 Entries
Lea Bowie
May 31, 2022
My sincerest sympathy and condolences to his wife Kate.
Carl was my boss at Polytechnic Institute of NY later Polytechnic University in Brooklyn. He hired me as his administrative assistant in 1984. I worked for him for four years until he left the university to return to Canada. A wonderful man. Generous and funny and did not suffer fools gladly. He was an expert in earthquakes and went to Mexico after the big earthquake there... I was just looking for him to send him a book about Polytechnic written by a colleague. Such a shock to find out of his passing. God bless Carl. I´m glad he was surrounded by family.
Again, all my sympathy
Lea Bowie
Threshold School of Building
May 29, 2022
The staff and Board of Directors at Threshold School wish to express our sincere condolences to the Turkstra family during this trying time. Carl was a friend and supporter of our organization for many years, and will be greatly missed by everyone in the Hamilton community.
Mary Catharine Lawlor
May 25, 2022
I am so sorry to read of Carl´s passing, and offer condolences to the family, more personally to Herman, Cliff, and Marlene. I first met Carl when he returned from the States to take over from Peter at Turkstra Lumber; Kate, some years after that. They were a team, weren´t they? It was always a pleasure to encounter them. Indeed, a loss to the family and the community.
Jan Graves
May 25, 2022
Peter, thinking of you and your family at this difficult time. Your parents were special people, and over the years their philanthropic support really enriched our community.
Kelly and Barry Yungblut
May 24, 2022
Our deepest sympathies to all that knew and loved Carl. He was a generous and kind and his legacy will live on in the Visual and Performing Arts in our Community. We are grateful for his vision and generosity.
Showing 1 - 6 of 6 results
Memorial Events
for Carl TURKSTRA
Funeral services provided by:
CIRCLE OF LIFE CREMATION AND BURIAL CENTRE100 King St. E, Dundas, ON L9H 1C4