Marshall William Turkin

1926 - 2023

Marshall W. Turkin, 97, of Boca Raton, FL passed away on Thursday June 15, 2023, in Delray Beach, FL. Marshall was born in Chicago, IL to Beatrice (Gordon) and Morris Turkin on April 1, 1926. He received his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in music and composition from Northwestern University and post graduate training at the Julliard Institute and Columbia University. Marshall was proud to have served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Marshall was passionate about giving concerts with the Turkin Classic Jazz Ensemble at various venues in Boca Raton including the monthly Jazz Nights at Boca Raton Museum of Art, Levis Jewish Community Center and the Mizner Park Amphitheater. He conceived and hosted the classical chamber music series" Mostly Music" at Lynn University, taught at Florida Atlantic University and was a board member of the International Society for The Performing Arts and the League of American Orchestra, in which he served as Chair of the Major Orchestra division. He also was a music panelist for the National Endowment for the Arts. Marshall was a life-long musician and music administrator. He was the General Manager of the Honolulu Symphony, Executive Director of both Chicago Symphony's Ravinia Festival and Cleveland Orchestra's Blossom Music Center. In addition, he was the Executive Director of the Detroit Symphony and Vice President and General Manager of the Pittsburgh Symphony. Marshall also founded and was President Emeritus of the Boca Raton Symphonia. Marshall was proud to have his own compositions performed by major symphonies as well. Marshall was survived by his sons Dr. Scott Turkin, Bradley Jay Turkin, Troy Turkin, his Daughter-in-Law, Nina Turkin, his Son-in-Law, Chris Halsey, his Grandchildren, Ty Turkin, Tatiana Turkin, Cole Turkin, and his companion Sandra Miller. Marshall was preceded in death by his wife Patricia (Merchant) Turkin and son Jeffrey Brian Turkin. After family his biggest source of personal and professional satisfaction was music. There will be a visitation held on Thursday, June 22, 2023 from 10:00am until 11:30am at the Ralph Schugar Funeral Home located at 5509 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15232. Graveside service and burial will follow at noon at the West View Cemetery located at 4720 Perry Hwy, Pittsburgh, PA 15229. There will be a Celebration of Marshall's Life in Boca Raton, FL held in July. Details will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Jeffrey Brian Turkin Memorial JFS Endowment Fund administered by the Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish Family Services of Palm Beach County at www.ralesjfs.org to help young people access mental health treatment. Donations can also be made to The Parc Foundation, a non-profit organization established to assist families with children having mental health challenges at www.parcforkids.org.

Please visit the Babione-Kraeer Funeral Home online obituary for Marshall to leave family condolences, share memories and to receive future information and details on Marshall's Boca Raton Celebration of Life at www.dignitymemorial.com.