Donald J. Turcotte

Donald J. Turcotte April 15, 1920 - December 25, 2009 Norwich - Donald J. Turcotte, age 89 of Norwich, beloved husband of the late Mary (Morrone) Turcotte who died in 1975, died December 25, 2009 at Regency Heights in Norwich. He was born April 15, 1920, in Willimantic, CT, son of the late Joseph and Julianne (Fitzgerald) Turcotte. Mr. Turcotte, an ensign in the U S Naval Reserve, served in the Pacific Theatre ( Leyte Invasion) during World War II. He was married to Mary Elizabeth Morrone on September 27, 1947. He received a B.S. degree from Murray State University, Murray, KY in 1942, and a M.A. from the University of Connecticut in 1960 Mr. Turcotte was a school teacher and head of the Business Department at Norwich Free Academy where he taught for 34 years, and at Fishers Island School, New York for 15 years. He retired from teaching in 1995. Mr. Turcotte was president of the Connecticut Business Education Association in 1964 and a member of the State Advisory Board for Office Education from 1955 to 1980. In 1979 he received the Administration Management Society Award for Excellence in the classroom and the Outstanding Business Educators Association Award from the Connecticut Business Educators Association. Donald will always be remembered for his quick wit, his sincere love for his family, and the Red Sox. He never missed an opportunity to see a game or to talk about his beloved Red Sox. He is survived by a son, Joseph Turcotte of Norwich, a daughter, Donna (Turcotte) Mandeville and her husband James, of Gales Ferry, CT, two grandchildren, Brian Mandeville and his wife Theresa of Brighton, MA, Julie Mandville, and her fiancé, Joshua Fruth of Naples, FL, and great-grandson Remy Mandeville of Brighton, MA. He was predeceased by his sister, Valerie (Turcotte) McEnroe. The family wishes to thank to compassionate staff at Regency Heights of Norwich for all the attention and care given to Donald. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at11AM at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Norwich. Burial will be private. There are no calling hours. In Lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the charity of your choice. The Cummings-Gagne Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.