Alfred G. Turnquist

Alfred Gustaf Turnquist, 83, passed away on October 17, 2025. He married the late Claudia (Wright) Turnquist in 1963 and lived for 81 years on Winsor Road in Foster. They had two children: Norman A. (Jacqueline O’Neill) Turnquist of Carlisle, NY and Cheryl A. (Larry Iadonisi) Turnquist of Rumford, RI. He was the proud grandfather of Carl A. (Zoe Schwartz) Turnquist, of Warwick, RI and Alex D. Iadonisi of Rumford, RI. Alfred was the son of the late Arnold and Hilda (Sodergren) Turnquist, and brother to Helen (Besser), Sylvia (McPherson), and Douglas, and the late Marilyn (Beliveau) and Donald, with many nieces and nephews. A member of one of the last groups of students attending the one-room Mt. Hygeia Schoolhouse in Foster, he graduated Scituate High School in 1960, was co-captain of the basketball team and also played on the baseball team. Alfred also attended the University of Rhode Island. As a husband and father, Alfred’s number one priority was his family. He was devoted to Claudia, and was very proud of his children and the choices they made. He instilled a strong work ethic in his children, encouraging them in their various endeavors throughout childhood, whether it be basketball, baseball, music and dance, fishing, kart racing, or crafts. Their education was important and he and Claudia made sure that both Cheryl and Norman were able to follow their own paths. Norman and his Dad bonded especially over any and all auto racing and sports, and Cheryl’s entrepreneurial success, small business and continuous growth and education was particularly gratifying to Al. Alfred coached both Norman’s and Cheryl’s middle school basketball teams. Family vacations were always much anticipated, usually involving a week at Lake Champlain, or New Hampshire or Pennsylvania. After Norman and Cheryl were grown, Alfred and Claudia travelled further afield, visiting Alaska, Hawaii, the American west, many National Parks, and Europe. For over 25 years, Alfred was the president of Turnquist Lumber Company in Foster, a family business started by his father, Arnold, in 1939. He didn’t start out as president…he began working in the mill “part time” at the age of 10. He was an active member of several forestry and lumber industry associations. Always interested in the lumber and sawmill industry, Al wasn’t above slowing down to observe when passing a mill while on vacation. He also was happy to include the local quilt shop on a trip’s itinerary so that Claudia could keep her quilt fabric stock “healthy”. Although he and Claudia lived quietly in Foster, they enjoyed travelling, going to the casino, taking in a concert, dining out, visiting their children, attending their grandsons’ events, sitting with their cats and going to a race. A quick wit with an appreciation for a good joke or story, Al’s smile wasn’t a rare sight. He spent the last two years at The Village at Waterman Lake, enjoying the socialization, excellent staff, three meals a day, and the company of his two cats, Missy and Zorro. He also enjoyed learning new things and even in the last few years would often be investigating and researching in areas such as aviation, automotive and machinery technology. And, obviously, he was a life-long New England sports fan. Al will be remembered as a dedicated and loving husband, father and grandfather.

Tributes

Alfred G. Turnquist

October 17, 2025