Frank A. Turner 1917-1997

TURNER, CERRUTI, BUGEDA

Posted By: Shary Ferrall
Date: 7/4/2006 at 23:44:00

Friends and family of longtime Los Altos Hills resident Frank A. Turner remembered a generous, non-judgmental man who led an exemplary life.

"He had a special ability to sense and serve other's needs," one person said after a Feb. 21 memorial service for Mr. Turner at St. Nicholas Church in Los Altos. "Like the time the overseer at the Poor Clare's Monastery died and Mr. Frank voluntarily took over his job."

Mr. Turner, 79, died Feb. 15 after a short illness.

In his neighborhood, where he had lived for 35 years, children called him "Mr. Frank" and likened him to a kindly grandfather. His first concern when taken to the hospital just before Valentine's Day was that the children would get the candy he had for them. His last deed was to send a friend to his house to deliver it.

Mr. Turner was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Sept. 19, 1917. His family moved to South San Francisco in 1929 where his father ran a local newspaper. Before his high school graduation in 1935, Mr. Turner's artistic talents had surfaced in classes where he did woodcarving and furniture making.

Eventually, he met and married Anita "Nita" Cerruti. They had one child, Lynn. Near the end of World War II, Mr. Frank was sent to Japan as a part of the Army of Occupation. A new interest developed - collecting gemstones.

"After his return, he studied lapidary and jewelry making so he could set the stones," Lynn recalled. "For 20 years he made beautiful jewelry for mother, me and others. When she died 29 years ago, he stopped."

During his years as a widower, he was a welcome guest in many homes, be it for children's or adult's birthday parties, block parties, religious or secular family celebrations. He seldom went empty-handed.

Early on, Mr. Turner had a welding business. Then he co-owned a chromium mine in Livermore Hills. His last business was trucking.

When he eventually retired, his truck didn't - it became a tool with which to help others. During the local garbage company's quarterly clean-up. Mr. Turner would knock on doors early in the morning to gather and haul neighbor's discards.

Mr. Turner belonged to the South San Francisco Historical Society and donated memorabilia from his early life there. He also belonged to the Moffett Field Museum and Historical Society and fought to save the hangars when they were endangered.

Animals and wildlife were important to Mr. Turner. One friend recalled Mr. Turner's sadness when his 37-year old horse, Bambi, died. "I helped him excavate a deep hole and ease the horse down. Frank wouldn't allow any dirt put on until he first covered Bambi with a blanket."

Mr. Turner is survived by his daughter, Lynn-Sharon Turner Bugeda of Phoenix, Ariz.; a step-grandson, Keith Bugeda of Las Vegas, Nev.; godchildren, and many friends. The family prefers donations to Poor Clare's Monastery, 28210 Natoma Road, Los Altos Hills 94022.

By Marjorie Kellogg-Van Rheeden
Special to the Town Crier; Los Altos Town Crier (California)