Edward Francis Turek ("Ed") went to be with his wife in heaven on January 26, 2021. Edward passed away at the age of 101 in Freeland, WA.

 

Ed was born in New Haven, CT on August 20, 1919. Son of Joseph and Beatrice Turek, he was one of twelve sons and daughters. They grew up in New Haven where he eventually graduated from Woolsey and Fair Haven High School in 1938. He was baptized in the Catholic Church and was devout in his religion. 

 

At the beginning of the war in 1939, Ed was compelled to serve for his country and voluntarily enlisted. He left home and ultimately was stationed in Pearl Harbor as a naval aviator. However, on December 5, 1941, two days before the infamous bombing of Pearl Harbor, he was ordered to do reconnaissance against the Japanese Navy in Astoria, OR and later on in the Aleutian Islands in Alaska. He actively and proudly served his country from May 3, 1938 to May 3, 1946 and was most notably awarded The Navy Air Medal - Aleutian Campaign for his aerial raids upon Japanese ships in Kiska Harbor. He ended his career as a Captain of Squadron 41 and was stationed on the USS Phoenix. After the end of the war, he was ordered to Whidbey Island to help establish the Navy Base in Oak Harbor, WA. 

 

In Oak Harbor, Ed met Madeline Roming Turek of Anacortes. They met at Madeline's mother's tavern where he was sitting with three other sailors. Madeline poked her head out of the kitchen and exclaimed, "that's a beautiful ring you're wearing" to which Ed replied, "if you marry me I'll give it to you." Ed and Madeline soon fell in love and were married in Mount Vernon, WA. They both moved to Opa Locka, FL so Ed could attend air nautical school while in the Navy Reserves. In Florida, they had two beautiful boys. Garth Eldon Turek born in 1942 and Stephen Thomas Turek born in 1945. Ed's time in the Reserves drew to a close in 1952 (served from April 19, 1947-April 20, 1952) and they moved their family back to Bellingham, WA where Ed attended school at Western Washington University. He earned a Bachelors in Science and Arts, as well as a Bachelors in Education. He pursued a career at Boeing where he worked for thirty years establishing himself as a senior engineer. Ed and Madeline were married for 67 years until her death in 2011. 

 

They lived a happy and beautiful life together raising their family. Preceded in death by son, Garth Eldon Turek. Survived by son and daughter-in-law Steve and Charie Turek; grandchildren Stephen Turek and Tanya Scriven; Tammara Lynn Williams; Theresa Marie Turek; Mischelle Denise Bennett; Hitoshi Delica and Yesica Carmona; Miki and Mitchell Hughes; as well as great-grandchildren Max, Cody, and Hailey Turek and Adrian Delica. 

 

Ed was very active in his community, frequently donating to organizations such as KCT9, Anacortes Public Library, and to Western Washington University every year. He was a member of the Seattle Pro. Engineering Association, The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, WWU Life Alumni, and was a part of the Senior Charter Museum of Flight. He lived the remainder of his years with his family and friends in his home in Lynnwood, WA.