Sylvester G. Turbes

To the Turbes Family:
I recently learned of Sy’s passing. My interest in history has two sources: Bernard FitzPatrick, my father, and Sy Turbes, my history professor at St. Thomas Academy.
Sy and my father were roommates at St. Thomas College during the Depression in the 1930’s. I expect that neither had much money. They shared a small room. At my father’s 2004 wake, Sy and I had a good laugh over the stories of them rooming together. Although Sy didn’t...

Yesterday would have ben your 92nd birthday. We miss you terribly.

Turbes Family,

Cousin Sy was a wonderful person. Both my mother, Marion, and my aunt, Dona, remember seeing him for the first time while he was fixing the road in the '30s near Walnut Grove, and my grandfather, Mat, saying 'This is you cousin, Sylvester'. To two little girls he was the most beautiful person they'd ever seen. They always remember him and see him as that "beautiful person". My brother, Mike, and I remember the help we received in attending the Academy (Mike) and...

My most vivid memories of Sy Turbes come from the classroom, when he would get worked up and excited about explaining a topic. At those moments his speech would become even more punctuated and booming than normal. In particular, his lesson to us about the settling of the American PIEEEEDmont really stuck in my mind, and makes me smile whenever I think of it. I only hope my children have the fortune to have such enthusiastic and loving teachers. May he rest in peace.

Jim Allard...

Dear Tom and Family:

Sending deepest sympathy in the passing of Sylvester, every life is special , every shared memeory, phot or writting keeps the spirit alive.

God Bless Nan & Ron Falk

Dear Patty, Regina, Tom, Liz, Teresa, Catherine and members of the Turbes Family,

Sy wasn't just my uncle and my Godfather, he was a role model for the way I live my life. Along with my parents, Jim and Rosie Green, Sy was a stellar example of how life should be lived. God and Family coming first and well before anything else. My love of politics, history and travel was passed on to me by Sy. He was a remarkable man who made us all proud to say we knew and loved him. I will...

Mr. Turbes made a lasting impression on all of the many students he had over the years. I had the privilege of being one of those the first year he taught at the Academy.

Jim Monnahan STMA class of 1944

Prof Turbes - A Wonderful Man, from in incredible generation. I would not be who am I am today, without the Wisdom, Guidance and Patients from these Teachers of the "Old Guard". Thanks Prof Turbes for never giving up on me.
To your Family, my Sincere Sympathy at the loss of Sy. But what a wonderful legacy he has left us. Prof, you are now a part of our Great American History! God Bless, and Rest In Peace.

Dear Patty, Liz, Tom and all the Turbes family,
I'm so sorry for your loss of Uncle Sy. It's comforting to know he was home surrounded by his beautiful family when he passed. 91, wow...what a wonderful length of life he was blessed with. My memories of him are what a kind and gentle man he was and how much he loved his wife, Aunt Janet! I wish you all great comfort and strength during your time of sorrow.
With deepest sympathy,
Leslie Owens