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Charles K. Turk
1935 - 2018
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Eric T Holmes posted a condolence
Saturday, November 9, 2019
More than a year after his passing I found out about your family's loss. With heavy heart, but a smile on my face, I remember all my class time spent with Mister Turk. I look around my office, and see the affect Mr Turk had on my life, my love of books and a remembered quote, "Eric, English is an exact language, practice your grammar." Every time I put pen to paper, Mr Turk is there with his hand on my shoulder. I will miss you. You and your family shall remain in my prayers.
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Douglas Dailey posted a condolence
Wednesday, October 17, 2018
Mr. Turk was my English professor at McQuaid Jesuit High School. His passion for teaching and literature has left a lifelong impression on me. Everyone should read his book, My Father's Words. My condolences go out to his family.
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Mike and Nancy Davidson posted a condolence
Sunday, October 14, 2018
We did not know Charles Turk, but we dearly love the Frank and Tara Turk family. In reading the posts, I wish we had known him. He sounded like a very interesting man with a great passion to help those in their studies. We are praying for you & the family in your loss. May the Lord Jesus Christ be with you and comfort you.
Love,
Mike and Nancy Davidson & family
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Clifford Finn posted a condolence
Sunday, October 14, 2018
A loss of a teacher which taught while I grew up, puts a sad feeling in my heart. Knowing and graduating with one of his son, Frank, makes the sad feeling even deeper.
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Louise Carson posted a condolence
Sunday, October 14, 2018
I am so sorry for your loss. Charlie was a good man and amazing example of determination.
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W posted a condolence
Saturday, October 13, 2018
Thank you Mr Turk for your wisdom and courage and kindness in a life dedicated to teaching. You gave me a lot as a kid at McQuaid - you are a man of depth. May Our Lord grant you peace and joy in His Kingdom forever. Resquiet in pace.
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Fr. Fred Betti, SJ posted a condolence
Saturday, October 13, 2018
It was an honor to be a colleague and friend of Mr. Türk during my years at McQuaid. He will always stand out as an exemplary Ignatian educator in every way. He lived the MAGIS and gave us a wonderful model of the true Man for Others. My prayers for Ruth and family. I will remember Charlie in my Masses here at St. Michaels. 7 e P
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John Picone posted a condolence
Saturday, October 13, 2018
Mr. Türk was a dedicated teacher who strived to have each of his students reach their potential. His life stories of his journey from Hungary were fascinating and inspiring as he weaved his experiences in our English class!
God bless Mr. Türk and your family
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Tony and Linda Berardi posted a condolence
Saturday, October 13, 2018
Ruth, Linda and I were saddened to hear about Charlie. He was an accomplished individual who was respected by all. His book was an inspiration to me and many others on what his determination could achieve. Charlie and your family are in our prayers.
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Don Keeley posted a condolence
Saturday, October 13, 2018
I am sorry to hear of your loss. Mr. Turk was one of my favorite teachers at McQuaid.
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Laura Viau posted a condolence
Saturday, October 13, 2018
Condolences to the Turk family and the McQuaid community.
I was the librarian at McQuaid for 6 years in the 1990s and my 2 brothers attended
McQuaid in the late 70s/early 80s.
Love to all.
Laura McCrank Viau
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Craig Cypher posted a condolence
Thursday, October 11, 2018
“Life is a precious gift, even when it is less than perfect” - Charles Turk.
Heartbreaking to hear about his passing. He was, simply, the greatest teacher I ever had. Demanding yet thoughtful, he pushed you to create great work while supporting you and building your skills. His laugh filled the room and his mischievous smile when pointing out some literary in-joke will always stay with me.
His book is worth the read. The story of a peasant farming boy in Hungary thrown into the military and forced to make a choice. Will you be the tool of the Communist government and possibly fire upon loved ones and countrymen fighting oppression? Or will you risk your life to escape?
I’m honored to say that his first return trip to his native Hungary occurred in my senior year, February break of 1993. He shared his story of escape with our AP English class. At one point he slightly glossed over the moment of his escape while prepping a vehicle with a fellow soldier. One of the other students asked him directly how he “got away”. He replied “I had a rifle and he had a rifle. You tell me how I escaped.”
He escaped to Austria and then to America, requesting asylum from multiple countries at the time. America welcomed him with open arms. He worked as an immigrant farm worker on a tobacco plantation in Connecticut, then in the Buffalo steel mills. Put himself through Canisius College in Buffalo, graduating with a triple major. Became a teacher at McQuaid Jesuit, influencing countless lives with his mastery of grammar, passion for literature, and a sense of humor that all enjoyed, none more than the man himself.
He had a gift for malapropism, coming back to certain phrases and jokes over and over again. It inspired Fellow classmate Jonathan Maurer to create the booklet “Hungarians Say the Darnedest Things”. He would call the AP English class he taught “The NBA of High School Basketball”. Pretty sure he meant the NBA of High School English, but he stuck with it despite our confused looks. Or, as the clock ticked down on a test he would ask “How is time doing guys? Is it still the enemy of youth?” and laugh.
For years my buddy Dan Wilson would have him return to his senior government class at Brighton to share his story and his experiences. I was able to sit in on one of these classes when I returned to Rochester after finishing my grad degree, seeing the master at work one more time.
I told him I was now a Clinical Psychologist (he first heard “Political Psychologist” and then was a bit less enthusiastic after I had to correct him). I let him know it was the lessons he gave from those beat up copies of Warriner’s Grammar that got me through the endless writing demands of my doctorate. I’m thankful now for that moment. To let him know the impact he had.
The quote at the top was from a letter he enclosed with a copy of his book that he sent me. I had asked about purchasing it, he just asked for my address and sent it. It’s a quote that I have come back to time and time again when things have felt dark, when my patience, faith, and optimism have been tested.
Life is a precious gift.
RIP Mr. Turk.
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Jim Yurgealitis posted a condolence
Thursday, October 11, 2018
I was genuinely saddened to hear of this. Mr. Turk was one of the teachers at McQuaid whose instruction and personal story made a lasting impression on me. Those of us who were his students are all richer for our association with him and now seemingly poorer for his loss. As a mentor and member of the McQuaid family he was a fine example of the Ignatian Tradition. He truly was “A man for others”. Godspeed Mr. Turk.
Jim Yurgealitis ‘80
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Joshua Kwekel posted a condolence
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
The Turk family is much beloved to mine. I'm so sorry for your loss. I rejoice to hear that Charles was trusting in His Savior when he passed on into the next life. Our deepest sympathies to all the family members, especially Frank and Tara.
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The family of Charles K. Turk uploaded a photo
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
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