Osman Albert Turney

Once upon a time, there was a man who caught an Osprey with a rattling rattle trap. I wasn't there, I was at school. I was probably unimpressed with being at school while Mom and Dad were at the lake opening up the camp for the year. But man, did Dad's blue eyes twinkle when he told his tale. He cast his line, and seconds after that, the lure hit the lake, and the bird dove. After what I can only guess was a moment of stunned silence as the bird took flight with the lure, I assume my father thought, "I don't think so." I can't type what I'm pretty sure he did say) As the story went, he yanked that bird right back into the water. Needless to say, it flew away, very disgruntled, without Dad's rattletrap the second time. I know this sounds like a tall tale or legend or a "big fish" story. Dad was the teller of the tale. Mom corroborated the story. So who was I to do anything but believe?
That was my dad, Osman Turney, for me. Larger than life.
Dad had his stories and way more personality than most people. He could move pianos with a single arm all by himself and named every ceiling fan in the house.
And boy, did Dad know things like what Tree Squeaks are? And how to sing all the wrong words to your favorite songs. Dad loved us all with our faults. There are so many more stories and so many memories, like the smell of wood yards and riding on the skidder with him. And driving his boat with his baseball cap on backwards. I was "his fishing buddy." And fishing with him are some of my best memoirs. These phantoms will stay with me always Many of the things he loved, I love as well. It's so hard for me to write this, just like it was with mum, because they are so much more than facts.
Osman Albert Turney was an honest man. A good man. He didn't make promises. He never used words like "if, maybe, and always" But you can bet he always did what he felt was right, regardless of the consequences. He was my true north. My cardinal direction. He loved to pester mum, and I am pretty sure she spent most of her life wanting to box his ears. And all of you boys, all of you have a bit of dad in you. It's so difficult for me to believe you are gone, Dad. You were always my anchor. I could count on you to always be infallible and tell me to sleep on things.
You are forever loved and forever missed. We were truly blessed to have you and Mum. May angels lead you in, Dad. May God bless and keep you always. I know you found the narrow gate too. Tell mumma we love her. I will always hear you singing "Can't Help Falling In Love"
Osman Albert Turney left this world behind on November 10, 2025, at Madigan Estates.
He was predeceased by his loving wife, Trudy Marilyn Turney, in October of 2023. And his older sister, Arlene Graves of Houlton.
Three daughters survive him. Sra (Reggie) Stratton of Benedicta and her two sons, Devin Smith of Houlton and Jared Smith of Oakfield, and their families. Tina Ivey of Houlton and her two sons, Sam Ivey and Caleb Ivey of Fortuna, CA. Heather (Doug) Hodgin of Fallon, NV, and their son, Osman. Two sisters, Eliane Crandall of Presque Isle and Judith Turney of Houlton, and her two sons Nicholas and Jacob Cole and their families. And one brother-in-law, Bruce Malone, and five sisters-in-law, Gerry Tidd, Jane Andrews, Beverly Crocker, Sandra Malone, and Joan Sullivan.
We would like to give special thanks to the girls and guys at Magidan Estates for the care they took of our father and how much they loved him. Words cannot express what this means to us all.
We will hold the funeral in the spring at the Haynesville Cemetery. Any Donations can be made to Bowers Funeral Home for the funeral expenses.