Thomas J. Turley

Thomas J. Turley passed to his eternal home on Monday, August 30,  2021, surrounded by his beloved family.  He was born in Erie, PA on April 27, 1941 to Elmer and Gertrude (Wiley) Turley.  Tom attended St. John’s School and Cathedral Prep, graduating in 1959.  He was inducted into the US Army in 1967 and served his country in the Vietnam War as a fuel truck driver and dispatcher at Bien Hoa, Vietnam. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, The Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal.  Upon his honorable discharge from the military, he returned to Erie and worked at Diamond International as a pressman.  He owned and operated TJ Turley Construction and later joined Dispatch Printing Inc. as a pressman.  Thomas was the former president of the Graphic Communications International Union, Local #73C.  He was a member of the American Legion Post#511, Wesleyville and Girard American Legion Post #494, and a member of the VFW Post #470.  He enjoyed hunting, playing bocce, and the Steelers.

One of his greatest loves was of the German Shepherd Dog.  For Tom there was no other breed.  He bred and competed in dog shows, handling his own dogs, across the eastern and Midwest US and Canada.  Thomas was also one of the founders, past President and lifetime member of the German Shepherd Dog Club of Northwestern PA, Inc.  He was currently a member of the German Shepherd Dog Club of Northern Ohio, Inc.  One of his long time dreams was to breed a champion and he was successful several times.

In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by an infant granddaughter, Tory Turley, and his brother-in-law, James West.

He will be missed by his family which includes his wife Amber (Conti) Turley, whom he married on October 29, 2005; his sons Todd, Daniel (Renee), Shaun (Liz) and Thomas E. Turley all of Erie; his daughter, Teresa Mills (Daniel) of Cyclone, PA; his sister, Kathleen West of Concord Twp, OH; grandchildren Amanda Willis (Josh), Colleen, Gillian, and Conan Turley, Brittany Blanchard (Vincent), Matthew (Andrea), Stephany and Elisha (Beverly) Mills; Ava and Lauren Turley; bonus grandchildren, Gabrielle Goshay and Matthew Wnek; four great-grandsons, Brayden, Camden and Daxton Willis, and Rowen Blanchard; and several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call on Thursday from 2 :00 PM to 4 P.M. and 6 P.M. to 8 P.M at Edder Funeral Home Inc., 309 Main St. East, Girard and are invited to attend a Prayer Service there  on Friday at 12 noon. with Rev. Michael G. DeMartinis officiating.

Burial will  be in the Girard Cemetery with full military honors.

Memorials may be made to the A.N.N.A. Shelter, 1555 E. 10th St., Erie, PA 16511.

To send condolences go to edderfuneralhome.com

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