Thomas E. Turner of Churchville died Friday, January 19, 2018 at his residence surrounded by his loving family. He was 65.

Thomas was the beloved husband of 42 years to Michelle L. King Turner.

Born in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late Philip John and Martha E. Walsh Turner and the brother of the late Michael Turner.

Tom was a former resident of the Mayfair section of Philadelphia before moving to Churchville. He attended Saint Joseph University where he played four years on the men’s soccer team. “Tom joined the La Salle College High School community as a teacher in the Social Studies department in the 1982-83 school year, having arrived on campus as fledgling soccer coach in an earlier season. In addition to coaching and teaching World Cultures/World History, Tom served for a number of years as assistant Dean of Students.

Whatever job Tom held, he used it as a vehicle to show his loving concern for those entrusted to his care, students and colleagues alike.  For years, he discreetly supervised several La Salle funds which assist students or staff members and their families make it through a period of financial challenge or health difficulties. He had an eagle eye for any students who were experiencing difficulty adjusting to La Salle as ninth graders.  He showed them support and communicated gently how to be successful.  In the discipline office, Tom knew intuitively which students needed compassion and understanding to get them through a rough spot and how to call a slacker to account in short order.  In the classroom, while the course was history, the subject was how to develop into a respectful, responsible, and caring adult man.  Such men asked after Tom and called in to see him, year after year.  They came out in force when Coach Turner was inducted into the Hall of Athletics this past September.”

Tom also dedicated his talents as the men’s head soccer coach at St. Joseph University for over 20 years.  During his time on Hawk Hill, he served as a mentor on and off the field, keeping in touch with many of his players long after their soccer careers had ended.  He will be truly missed as a husband, father, brother, T-Pop, friend, and role model to many.

In addition to his wife Michelle, Thomas is survived by his children Brigid K. Howard and her husband Jason of Hatboro and Mary Catherine Turner of Churchville. Thomas is also survived by his brother, Philip Turner and his wife Bonnie of Blue Bell, his sister Martha Turner Green of Hatboro and will always be remembered as a special T-Pop to Thomas and Maura.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewings on Tuesday, January 23rd from 6:00-8:00 pm in the Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home, 800 Newtown-Richboro Road (at Holland Rd.) Richboro, PA 18954 and on Wednesday, January 24th from 9:00 am until his Funeral Mass 10:30 am in St. Vincent de Paul Church, 654 Hatboro Road, Richboro, PA 18954.

Thomas’s interment will follow in Resurrection Cemetery in Bensalem.

Since Thomas devoted much of his life to working with children, the family requests that in lieu of flowers to please consider a contribution in Thomas’ name to either; the Make A Wish- Philadelphia, 5 Valley Square, Suite 210, Blue Bell, PA 19422 or the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.