Mr. Morino M.'Sam Turin'Turinese, of Taunton, died Sunday, January 20 in Morton Hospital following a brief illness. He was the beloved husband of 67 years of the late Yvonne I. (Cloutier) Turinese. He was born 93 years ago in Mansfield, the son of the late Samuel and Eleanora (Colesanti) Turinese. Educated in Mansfield, Sam lived in North Attleboro for 25 years and then in Taunton for the past 46. Prior to retiring in 1993, Sam served the City of Taunton’s Housing Authority for 20 years as Tenant Coordinator. Before coming to Taunton to open his 9th store (and 3 coin-operated laundromats), “Turin’s Wash and Shop” on Bay Street, Sam already had 31 years of grocery experience. During retirement, Sam again served the City of Taunton as both a Commissioner for the Recreation Department and as a board member for Taunton Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors. The experience that Sam gained, both in the meat business and at the “Army and Navy Cooks and Bakers School,” was of great use for the many Senior Citizens parties, kids’ functions & political functions that he participated in and chaired. A veteran of both the U.S. Army (1940-1941) and U.S. Navy (through 1945) in the Pacific Theatre during World War II, Sam was a Life Member of the David F. Adams Post #611 Veterans of Foreign Wars of Taunton, the Lorden-Hall Amvets of North Attleboro, the Sons of Italy, and St. Peter’s Society. In 1986 Mayor Dick Johnson presented Sam the “Key to the City.” Sam was also a recipient of the Rotary Club’s “Paul Harris Fellowship Award” in 1988, the Taunton Area Chamber of Commerce’s “Man of the Year Award” in 1990, the Taunton Boys and Girls Club’s “Service to Youth Award” in 1995, and served as Grand Marshall of the Taunton Christmas Parade in 1987 and 1995. In August of 2008 he was honored by the city with the building of the “Sam Turin Pavilion” in Hopewell Park. He was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church in Taunton.
Sam is best remembered for his overwhelming kindness and generosity, particularly when children or seniors were involved. In his own words, “It’s all about the kids.” He was not one to stand in the background and watch others do the work. Whenever any activity in the city needed to be run, Sam was the first to roll up his sleeves and pitch in.
He leaves a son: David M. (& Barbara) Turinese of Attleboro; a daughter: Eleanor Brennan of Taunton (with whom he lived); 2 sisters: Rose Brunelle of Mansfield and Sr. V. Agnes Turinese of Marlborough; 7 grandchildren: Michael (& Veronica) Turinese of Plainville; Lynn (& Lee) Gale of Attleboro; Jill Turinese of Norfolk; Lisa (& Dan) Consigli and Elizabeth (& Stephen) Kaes – both of Boynton Beach, FL; Matthew Brennan of San Diego, CA; Kevin (& Kim) Brennan of Lakeville; 11 great-grandchildren: Nicholas, Daniel, Jordan, & Nathan Gale; Jessica Turinese; Heidi, Nicole, and Faith Turinese; Kaden and Kole Brennan; and Alexander Kaes. He was predeceased by his son William Turinese of Attleboro; his brother Samuel Turinese of North Attleboro; and 2 sisters, Perina Oliver of Attleboro and Helen Pimental of Plainville.
Funeral services will be held from The Riendeau-Mulvey Funeral Home at 467
Bay Street, Taunton, on Monday, January 28 at 9:00 A.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Church at 10:00 A.M. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting Hours will be held on Sunday from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in Sam’s memory may be made to: Park & Recreation/Christmas Display 100th Anniversary, c/o Parks, Cemeteries and Public Grounds Department, 170 Harris Street, Taunton, MA 02780.