A much-loved grandad described as a “true gent” died after collapsing at a golf club.
Gary Turk, 67, worked in the flooring trade in Ashford for more than four decades, running Turk’s Flooring with his family for the last nine years.
Gary Turk, of South Ashford, died last month after collapsing at Tenterden Golf Club
The dad-of-four had given a speech at Tenterden Golf Club’s annual Christmas dinner when he suffered a cardiac arrest.
The South Ashford resident was rushed to hospital on December 10 but died three days later.
His heartbroken family say his sudden death has been a “devastating shock”, as dozens of customers have paid tribute online.
Married to wife Janice for 46 years, Gary is survived by his four children Lee, 34, Jason, 43, Mikala, 41, and Emma, 39 – plus 11 grandchildren.
Gary Turk loved working with his family; he is pictured from left to right with daughter-in-law Marie, son Lee, friend Gary, grandson Bradley and son Jason
Gary Turk and his wife of 46 years, Janice
Lee, from Singleton, says his father’s death came without warning.
“Dad was a big golfer and every year about 30 people get together and have a Christmas do at the club,” he said.
“He played during the afternoon, and by all accounts quite well, then everyone had a meal and did some speeches.
“But after he did his, he slumped down onto the table and suffered a big cardiac arrest.
“Paramedics worked on him for a long time and managed to get his heart beating while getting him to hospital.
Gary set up Turk’s Flooring in 2016
Gary Turk, centre, was very “family-oriented”
“They put a stent in after seeing some blockages, and were talking about putting in more stents afterwards, but then a consultant came in and said he’d got severe brain damage so that wasn’t possible.
“After a couple of days in intensive care it was clear he wasn’t going to wake up and so the decision was made to turn off the ventilator machine.”
Gary, who lived in Francis Road, was born in Newtown and attended The North School.
He previously spent 34 years working at Melvin Head Carpets in Hythe Road.
But the Manchester United supporter set up Turk’s Flooring in 2016 – along with Lee and Jason – and the trio began trading from Stafford Close, off Leacon Road.
Gary Turk with his daughters Mikala, left, and Emma
Gary’s daughter-in-law, Marie, 34, and grandson, Bradley, 18, also joined the company two years ago.
Lee says his dad “loved his job and didn’t want to slow down”.
“I also worked at Melvin Head and actually planned to work on my own when I left, but that’s when dad stopped me and said the three of us should do something together,” he said.
“In between handing in our notice and leaving we were spending nights working until 11pm doing the new place up.
“Since then, we’ve both been doing six days a week and the plan was for dad to cut that by a day or so.”
Lee says his dad – who was a member of Tenterden Golf Club for more than 25 years – gained a “new lease of life” when he set up the business.
Gary Turk was a father-of-four and grandfather-of-11
“It made him happier,” he said.
“I do the measuring and then the rest of us do some fitting, but dad would always answer the phone, respond to emails and be the one people met in the shop.
“He was such a people person, always kind, chatty and did something for you if you needed.
“Coming in early and opening up was always his thing and it made him proud working alongside his two sons, grandson and daughter-in-law.”
Lee says his dad was a “workaholic” – but always enjoyed spending time at the golf course.
“When he wasn’t in the shop or on the golf course he’d be fishing with Bradley and the family,” he said.
Gary Turk had a big family across Ashford
“But he was very stubborn and didn’t like doctors or dentists, so there could have been something ongoing which we didn’t know about.
“Dad also played cricket and darts and football back in the day – sport was always his thing.
“He also liked camping, going to Butlins with his grandchildren and visiting Great Yarmouth for boating holidays and staying in caravans by the beach.”
Scores of customers have shared their memories of Gary online, with Jon Francis saying “everyone needs a friend like him”.
“I am lucky and proud to say that he was mine,” he said.
“We are all going to miss you and the fun, laughter and kindness that followed you wherever you went. A true gent.”
Gary’s funeral will be held at Charing Crematorium on Monday (January 5) at 3.30pm, followed by a wake at Tenterden Golf Club.
