[From the Ontario District's newsletter, The Trillium, issue 59-03, July - September, 2005 , Waldo Redekop, editor.]

Jim Turner
1927—2005
A barbershop legend

By Ted  McAlpine

On Thursday, September 8, 2005, the barbershop fraternity lost one of its icons. Jim Turner passed away in St. Joseph’s Hospital in Elliot Lake from Parkinson’s, a disease he had been struggling with for the past five years.

A quartetter, a chorus director, a judge and an administrator, Jim lived for and devoted his entire life to our wonderful hobby. He was known throughout the length and breadth of the Society as a popular, motivational leader inspiring others to taste the essence of four-part harmony.

His quarteting experience covered a period of 48 years. Best known as the lead with Canada’s most revered quartet, the Nighthawks, Jim, Greg Backwell, Bert Ellis and John Sutton represented Ontario eight times on the International stage medaling four times placing as high as second in Toronto in 1963.

Jim’s other quartets competing at the International level, were The Rhythmcounts, 4 Karat Gold, and Reunion. Quartets that

became Ontario District Champs were the Gaytones and Deja vu. Deja vu went on to medal three times in the International Seniors International contest, including the first one and twice placing second.

Directing choruses was another gift Jim possessed. Toronto, Oakville and London all benefitted from his musical knowledge. But perhaps the London Men Of Accord was Jim’s most visible success, directing them to the District Championship in 1956 and 1960 and from there to International placing as high a fourth in 1958 and fourth in 1967 along with Greg Backwell.

In 1981, along with Dick Fincham as director, Jim was instrumental as music coach in taking the Oakville Entertainers to a ninth-place finish.

Directing men’s choruses was not Jim’s only forte. He directed the Mississauga Sweet Adelines for a number of years in addition to forming and directing Sounds Familiar, a group of Barbershoppers wishing to expand their horizons to include more modern arrangements.

Jim has been honoured numerous times in Ontario District. He was the District Barbershopper of the Year in 1968 and again in 1980 as well as receiving the title of “Builder Of The Half Century” and “Quartetter Of The Half Century” during our 50th anniversary in 1996.

A judge in the former Harmony Accuracy category, he was  Ontario’s V.P. Musical Activities in 1980 and 1981.

There are undoubtedly many other accolades that should be placed on this man, but for the moment, Jim’s legacy will be remembered by many. Goodbye old friend!     k