DAVID TURNER Obituary

TURNER, David Lee Age 94, of Norwell, died peacefully, on December 26, 2025, with his family by his side. David was born on July 23, 1931, in Boston, the eldest son of Jacob Lee Turner and Ruth Roubound Turner. He was almost a lifelong resident of Norwell, having moved there with his family from Milton at age six. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Sally I. Turner; two sons, David I. Turner (Diren) and Matthew S. Turner, and two step-children, Sarah Adams and William Crampton (Linda). He is also survived by eight grandchildren: Ozan, Pelin, Sarah, Robin, Johnathan, Daniel, Lewis and Christina; and a great-grandson, Max; as well as many nieces and nephews. David was predeceased by his parents; and by his brother, Peter C. Turner; and sister-in-law, Kathryn M. Turner. David graduated from Thayer Academy in 1949, and Babson College in 1953. He then served as a Naval Reserve Commissioned Officer on the destroyer USS Stickell, during the Korean conflict. He later wrote "As the conflict began to settle down, the Stickell was sent around the world on its way home to Norfolk, Virginia, via the South China Sea, Indian Ocean, Ceylon, South Africa (Durban), then across the Atlantic Ocean to Rio de Janeiro and the Virgin Islands before arriving in Norfolk." David was a drummer in the Navy Band, and once performed in the Rose Bowl. He stayed in the Naval Reserve into the 1960s and remembered his time in the Navy fondly throughout his life. After his Navy service, David attended Boston University School of Law, earning a Juris Doctor degree, and was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in 1958. He served as an Assistant Attorney of Massachusetts in the office of Attorney General Edward W. Brooke for four years, returning to private practice in 1963. David joined the law firm of Weston, Patrick, Willard and Redding, specializing in trial work and municipal law. He served as Town Counsel for the Towns of Norwell, Sudbury, Rockport, Duxbury, and Brookline. He later became full-time Town Counsel for Brookline for 30 years before retiring in 2005. David also served as an elected or appointed Town official in Norwell for many years: Building and Maintenance Committee, Bylaw Committee, Town Moderator, Selectman, and the Zoning Board of Appeals, among others. He loved sailing, fishing, classical music, writing poetry, designing and building all kinds of buildings, from houses to chicken coops, and all family activities. He always wanted to take everyone out to eat. A Celebration of David's Life will be held at the First Parish Unitarian Church of Norwell, at 11:00 A.M., on January 31. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Croi Health (formerly NVNA and Hospice), the North and South Rivers Watershed Association or the James Library. Visit www.mcnamara-sparrell for guestbook.

View the online memorial for David Lee TURNER