John E. Turco Sr.

John E. Turco, Sr. It is with great sadness that the Turco family announces the death of our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, John Edward Turco, Sr., on Monday, the 28h of July, at El Camino Hospital, after a long struggle with diabetes. He passed peacefully with his family by his side. John was born on July 12, 1931 in Franklin, Massachusetts. His parents, both deceased, were Michael and Clotilda (Giancola) Turco. John graduated from Boston College in 1954. He had a deep affection for his alma mater and the Jesuit influence was important throughout his life. He served proudly in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1953 through 1956 (during the Korean War), reaching the rank of 1st Lieutenant. Upon leaving the Marines, he was employed by Pan American World Airways as an Operations Manager at several Atlantic Missile Range tracking stations in the Bahamas, West Indies and Ascension Island from 1956 to 1960. In 1958 he married the love of his life, Frances Elizabeth (Heaphy) Turco. In 1961, John accepted a position with Lockheed Missiles & Space Company. Lockheed transferred John to Vandenberg Air Force Base in 1963 and the family moved to Santa Maria, CA. Then, in 1966, they settled in Sunnyvale after he accepted a new assignment with Lockheed at the Satellite Test Center (STC). John's career with Lockheed lasted 32 years until he retired in 1993. Prior to retirement, he was a Division Manager at the STC, managing many of the satellite programs that continue to protect us all. From his years on the Atlantic Missile Range until his retirement, he was an integral part of our country's space program. Following his retirement, John became the first president of the Church of the Resurrection unit of the Society of St. Vincent DePaul. He relinquished that role to joyfully dedicate his time to his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife Frances, children Catherine, Rosemary, John, Jr. and Michael, daughter-in-law Jennifer (Banta) Turco, grandchildren Lucas & Madeleine Turco, son-in-law Terry Harden, and adopted granddaughter Ashleigh Harden. He also leaves three sisters: Mary, Rose and Pauline; three brothers-in-law: William Zicko, Frank Medeiros, and William Heaphy; one sister-in-law: Juanita Heaphy; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. John was the loving and honorable head of our family. We will miss him each and every day. A vigil will be held Sunday, August 3, at 3:00 p.m. at LIMA & CAMPAGNA SUNNYVALE MORTUARY, 1315 Hollenbeck Avenue, Sunnyvale with visitation till 6:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held Monday, August 4, at 10:00 a.m. at Church of the Resurrection, 725 Cascade Drive, in Sunnyvale, Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 22555 Cristo Rey Drive, Los Altos, CA. The family respectfully requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Church of the Resurrection/St. Vincent de Paul, 725 Cascade Drive, Sunnyvale, CA 94087.