Thomas Turner

Thomas Turner of Peacham, Vermont passed away on September 11, 2025 at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital in St. Johnsbury of natural causes.

Tom was born on March 18, 1940 in Trenton, New Jersey, and was a graduate of Pennington Preparatory School in Pennington, NJ. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the US Navy where he served on the USS Forrestal until 1961. During his time in the Navy, he worked as a journalist. When returning home he was employed by New Jersey Manufacturers as an underwriter. Tom then spent time pursuing travel, eventually moving to Marshfield, Vermont in 1974. There, he opened his own business, Behind the Times Garage. Throughout his life, he worked for Cabot Creamery, Bombardier, and Napa Auto Parts. He also owned Turner Sports in West Danville during the late 1990s. Tom lived throughout central Vermont and the Northeast Kingdom and ultimately settled in Peacham Corner in 2006 with his wife Tamsen Van derLas.

A lifelong "gearhead" mechanic, Tom found happiness in working on cars and motorcycles. He always had a unique vehicle in his garage, from box trucks, motorcycles, vans, and of course, old American sedans. His most notable and prize motorcycle was the 1940 Indian Chief he built from parts. He even dabbled in vintage motorcycle racing well after the time he should have been retired - one of his favourite later memories was racing around New Hampshire Motor Speedway in a professional racing bike. Tom spent many summers as a judge with the Vermont Automobile Enthusiasts, admiring antique cars at the Stowe car show. Tom was also a gunsmith and avid collector. He loved animals, and you could often find him watching birds from the window with a dog and cat by his side.

He is predeceased by his parents Irvine Agnew "Jack" and Jeanne Stratton Turner, sister Karen Bragdon, and wife Tamsen Van derLas of almost 20 years. He is survived by his three children Tracy Turner of New Jersey, William Turner (wife Lisa) of Alberta, Canada and Tamsen Turner of Vermont. He is also survived by a niece, Sarah Scollay, of Kansas, and her children, and nephew Ted Bragdon (Donna) of Missouri.