Robert L. Turmel, 90, a longtime Hudson resident, passed away at his home, Wednesday morning, March 6, 2024, after a period of declining health.
Born in Hudson on May 28, 1933, he was a son of the late David and Octavia (Rodier) Turmel. Educated in Nashua and Hudson schools, Bob was a graduate of Alvirne High School Class of 1952. In his teenage years, Bob worked at Benson’s Wild Animal Farm where he assisted visitors with pony rides. A Navy veteran, Mr. Turmel served during the Korean War from 1952 to 1956.
Bob had been employed as a foreman at Nashua Corporation for 37 years. After he retired, Bob was a school bus driver for the Hudson School System for nine years and was fondly known as “Mr. T”. A resident of Nashua for many years. Bob and his family moved to their home in Hudson in 1964.
He was a member of the Hudson Senior Center and the Hudson Senior Council on Aging. In his leisure time, Bob enjoyed doing yardwork and helping his neighbors. He also loved playing Pickle Ball; watching and supporting New England Sports teams, especially the Red Sox and Patriots. Bob also enjoyed day trips and vacations with neighbors and friends, Pat and Jay Darrin as “Curmudgeon and friends”.
Bob married Janice L. Cherkes on April 27, 1957 and they shared over 57 years together until her passing on February 24, 2015.
Members of his family include four children, James C. Turmel and his wife Angela, Sheryl A. Turmel, the late Michael P. Turmel, who passed away in April 2023 and the late Mark R. Turmel, who passed away in 2003; three grandchildren, Jared and Jason Turmel and Ashley Felch and her fiancé, Chris Flaherty; Bob’s significant other for the past seven years, Judy Van Kleef; a brother, Theodore “Ted” Turmel; sisters-in-law, Claire Crouse and Stella Turmel; also many nieces, nephews and cousins.
One of thirteen children, Bob was predeceased by his five brothers, Roger, Girouard, Maurice, Edgar and his wife Doris, and Richard Turmel and his wife Jean; six sisters, Jane Barry, Marie Whitney, Theresa Morin and her husband Robert, Yolanda Vaillancourt and her husband Lucien, Cecile Falkowski and Virginia Ecklund and her husband William.
There are no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Kathryn Church, 4 Dracut Road in Hudson, Wednesday, March 13th at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at St. Stanislaus Cemetery in Nashua. Donations may be made in his memory to Home Health & Hospice Care, 7 Executive Park Drive, Merrimack, NH 03054. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservice.com Arrangements are in the care of the Farwell Funeral Service, 18 Lock Street, Nashua.
