Obituary of Gino Turchi

Gino A. Turchi, 96, of BALLSTON LAKE died Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012, at his home. He is survived by his adored wife Willie of 73 years. Together the Turchis touched many lives in the Capital Region. Born on Aug. 24, 1916, in Schenectady, N.Y., he was the son of the late Alexander Turchi and Rosa Pierfederici Turchi. He is predeceased by his beloved son Eugene "Gigi," brother August and sisters Natalie Nash, Antoinette Hodge and Yolanda Rouleau. Gino was a First Aid Infirmary ambulance driver with the Civilian Conservation Corps, Gallupville, N.Y., where he met Wilma (Willie) Becker. Upon his discharge, he worked at the Amsterdam Dairy and Wholesale Grocery Company and the Mica Insulator Company in Schenectady, where he was a tool and die maker. During WWII, Gino worked at General Electric and the American Locomotive Company. He took a second job at Esso Standard Oil Company, managing a training center for station attendants. Gino purchased the Esso station at Thomas Corners in Scotia, which he ran until 1970. In 1963 he purchased 145 acres of farmland in Ballston Lake to build a golf course, his lifelong dream. Gino completed Northway Heights Golf Club, now Eagle Crest Golf Club, in 1967. Gino, Willie and their son Gigi owned and operated the course until 1991. After Gigi died, Gino and Willie established the Turchi Family Scholarship at Siena College in his honor, to support Siena's golf programs. Gino was an avid fan of all Siena athletic teams and could often be seen driving his old station wagon on campus. Each summer, Gino and Willie celebrated their anniversary with dozens of friends at Siena. Gino's philanthropy and affinity to the College was extensive; Siena recognized him with an honorary doctorate degree in 2005. His acceptance speech is framed in the Turchi Theater in the Marcelle Athletic Complex. Gino's philanthropy extended to other organizations in the Capital Region, notably the Albany College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences and the Turchi Family Center at the Schenectady YMCA, named for Gigi. In 2004, Gino was honored with the Capital District YMCA President's Award for his "outstanding service, unselfish commitment and dedication." Gino was a life member of the Clifton Park Elks B.P.O.E. Lodge #2466, the Northeastern Golf Course Superintendents Association, Edison Country Club and the YMCA. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, Dec. 20, at 10 a.m. at the Marcelle Athletic Complex, Siena College, 515 Loudon Road, Loudonville, N.Y. Viewing hours are Wednesday, Dec. 19, 3-7 p.m. at the Marcelle Athletic Complex. Interment will follow the Mass on Thurs. at the Turchi Family Plot at the Jonesville Cemetery, Jonesville, N.Y. Arrangements are by Glenville Funeral Home, Scotia-Glenville, N.Y. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Turchi Family Scholarship, Siena College, attn: Ruth Richards, 515 Loudon Road, Loudonville, NY 12211.