Mr. John J. Turner, 53, of 37 Raymond Drive, Dalton, died Thursday at home. Born on September 27, 1954 in Pittsfield, MA he was the son of the late Edward J. and Rosemary Clark Turner. A lifelong resident of Dalton, he was educated in Dalton schools and graduated from Wahconah Regional High School in 1976. For over thirty years he was employed at the former Clark's Market in Dalton which was owned and operated by his family. He could always be seen greeting customers and helping out at the checkout counter. He also worked at Berkshire Unlimited for ten years and through the Advantage Network had worked at the former Ashmere Manor Nursing Home in Hinsdale in the Housekeeping Department for ten years. He also attended BCARC's Day Habilitation Program for five years. He retired in 2002. John was a communicant of St. Agnes Church in Dalton where he was a member of the St. Agnes Faith & Light Program. He also served as a longtime usher at the Saturday 4 PM Mass at St. Agnes where he also passed the basket. For many years he also carried the cross at the St. Agnes Good Friday services. He was a member of the Bureau for Exceptional Children & Adults of Holyoke, MA with whom he took many vacation trips. He also was a member of Community Access to the Arts and appeared on the cover of their 2001 Performance Event Calendar. John enjoyed taking part in the Special Olympics in his younger years having participated in many of the swim events. He was an avid walker and enjoyed bowling and dancing at BCARC dances. He was a lifelong fan of his beloved New York Yankees. He leaves his sister; Patricia A. Farrell of Dalton.

FUNERAL NOTICE: Funeral services for John J. Turner, 53, of Dalton who passed away August 16, 2007 will be held Monday at 10:30 AM from the DERY-FOLEY FUNERAL HOME in Dalton followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM at St. Agnes Church celebrated by the Rev. Christopher Malatesta, pastor. Burial will follow in Ashuelot Cemetery. Calling hours will be held Monday from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at Dery-Foley Funeral Home prior to the service. John also leaves his three nieces; Meghan Talmo, Bryanne Castle and Maeve Farrell and his nephew; Brendan Farrell. He also leaves his great niece; Lily Castle and his great nephew; Andrew Talmo and his housemates and best friends; Mary Manzolini and Tom Moran. John had many friends in the Dalton community who enriched his life, especially the Kardasen family from St. Agnes Church, the Day Habilitation Program staff, especially Karen Matthews and Todd Poulton who always treated John like one of the guys and Jo Danforth from the former Ashmere Manor Nursing Home as well as teachers Gary Campbell Sr. and Nancy Pignone from WRHS. He also leaves his many friends in the Tower Road neighborhood who enjoyed his company. John will be greatly missed by his beloved sister "Trish" who has taken care of him since he was six and by his brother-in-law; Dan Farrell who always knew they were a package deal. Memorial donations in memory of John may be made to St. Agnes School in care of the funeral home, 890 Main Street, Dalton, MA 01201.

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