Laurance James Turpie
July 5, 1926 - December 11, 2020
As published in the December 21, 2020 World-Spectator
Laurance James Turpie of Camrose, Alberta, formerly of the Northwest Territories, passed away on Friday, December 11, 2020, at the age of 94 years.
The following was written by Laurance:
“I was born on July 5, 1926 and grew up as a farm boy in Moosomin, Saskatchewan. In 1947, I began my long career with various highways departments. This was the year that I was awarded a contract to maintain the surface of highway #8 from Moosomin to Pipestone Creek, which was a distance of 6.3 miles, with three horses and a pull type grader with an eight-foot moldboard. A couple of years later I became a motor grader operator with the Saskatchewan Highways, which duties included mainly the summer and winter maintenance on a section of highway #1 from the Manitoba border to Wapella and later highway #8 to the Qu’Appelle River.
In 1960, I was selected as the area foreman in charge of highways surface maintenance for a large portion of Southeast Saskatchewan, that extended from Qu’Appelle River to the US border. The headquarters was in Carlyle. During this period, there was a rapid change from the maintenance of gravel surfaces to dust free asphalt surfaces. The transition went smoothly.
The desire of a challenge in highways work was in my blood and in 1970 I applied for a district superintendent position with the Manitoba Department of Highways. I was assigned to an area covering a major part of the of the Interlake with the office in Arborg, Manitoba. It was here that I married Elva Westcott.
Between 1970 and 1973, the job was covered by a federal program to fund badly needed highway development in the area. It certainly allowed us to upgrade many highways. In the spring of 1974, we had a major flood which damaged over 200 culverts and bridges. It was designated a federal disaster area. Within three months we had repaired the damage and conditions were back to normal.
By 1977, I was looking for new challenges and was selected as the highways superintendent North for the NWT Department of Transportation with headquarters in Yellowknife. My area for highways maintenance was much larger, as it extended from the BC border to the Beaufort Sea and East to Baffin Island.
While living in Yellowknife, my wife Elva suddenly passed away at home from an aneurism in 1979, which was a shock. My work on the Western and Northern areas of the Arctic took me to many interesting and beautiful places that have only ever been seen by a few. I met many interesting people that were both unique and ingenious enough to make a living in such a rugged environment. The Arctic is a “land of stark beauty”.
I continued to live in Yellowknife until I was transferred to the head office of Highways Maintenance Operations in Hay River, NWT. While in Hay River, I met and married Doreen Jenkins in 1984. Over the next few years, I was the acting assistant head of maintenance operation for the NWT.
Upon reaching 65, I retired in 1991 at which time Doreen and I moved South to Camrose, Alberta to enjoy retirement. During our married years, Doreen and I were able to do extensive travel worldwide and enjoyed seeing over fifty countries.”
He will be lovingly remembered and forever missed by his wife Doreen; children Carol (Dave) Ikert of Crooked Lake, Saskatchewan, Brenda (Claus) Westermann of Crooked Lake, Saskatchewan, Wayne (Sheila) Westcott of Regina, Saskatchewan, and Thomas Jenkins of Coronation; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Laurance was predeceased by his first wife Elva Turpie; parents Angus and Jane Turpie; brothers Angus Jr., and Donald; and daughter Christine Jenkins.
Due to Alberta health regulations, a funeral service will be held at a later date.
A special thank-you to all of Laurance’s caregivers and neighbors.
In lieu of flowers, if family and friends so desire, memorial contributions in Laurance’s memory may be made to the Salvation Army.
To send condolences, please visit www.burgarfuneralhome.com.
Burgar Funeral Home Camrose & Daysland (4817 51 Ave, Camrose, Alberta T4V 0V4) in care of arrangements. 780-672-2121.
“Dedicated service since 1906”
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