On July 4, 2023, Paul E. Turner, 87, of Seattle, WA passed away peacefully with his beloved wife Donna (Pecchia) and family at his side. Paul loved the Fourth of July, it was his birthday, and shortly after passing, fireworks lit up the Seattle skyline and ushered him to heaven.
Paul was raised near Bothell, WA at Turner Corner, the family homestead. Growing up Paul loved tinkering with early Model T’s and a Nash along with countless hours fishing Little Bear Creek. After graduating from Bothell High School, Paul obtained his business degree from Seattle University and then served honorably as a US Naval Officer, traveling the world in service of his country, he was a patriot. Paul worked for The Boeing Company as a human resource manager for nearly 30 years on famed projects such as the 757, 767 and 777 airplanes.
Paul and Donna met on a “blind date” and married in 1963 raising their family: John Paul Turner (Julie) and Cara Young (Walter) in Bellevue, WA. A shared passion for travel was always present and Paul and Donna traveled to Europe many times as well as Australia, China, Costa Rica and Eastern Europe. Paul filled his bucket before there were even “bucket lists”, including snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, Skiing the Alps, sailing the west coast from Seattle to San Diego, walking the Great Wall of China and hot air ballooning in the outback of Australia. But without question, after all his travels, Paul’s favorite place was spending time at the beach house on Guemes Island with family and friends.
During his lifetime Paul wore many hats, a baseball player’s; a naval officer’s; a pilot’s; a fishermen’s; a Juvenile Court Commissioner’s; a Museum of Flight Ambassador’s; a Community Living Board Member’s and even a Seafair Clown’s. But Paul’s special hat was “Papa” to his five grandchildren, Natalie, Mitchell, Justin, Jane and Ciara.
Paul and his family would like to thank the Northwest Kidney Centers, the Poly Clinic, Swedish Hospital, The Terraces at Skyline, Harborview Medical Center, and all the caregivers who have helped and healed him along his journey.
There will be a Celebration Mass for Paul at St. James Cathedral (804 9th Ave, Seattle) on September 8, 2023, at 12:10pm.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Northwest Kidney Centers, PO Box 3035, Seattle, WA 98114 or The Terraces at Skyline, Attention Heidi Davis, 715 9th Avenue, Seattle WA 98104.