Richard F. Turoski

LT. COL. RICHARD F. TUROSKI, SR., USAF, RETIRED

Lt. Col. Richard F. Turoski, USAF, Retired, passed away peacefully on November 20, 2017 in Rexford, NY.

Richard was born in Medina, April 23, 1933, the only child of Leon F. “Leo” and Anna (Sevenski) Turoski.  A graduate of Medina High School, class of 1951, Rich was a Mustang for life and spoke highly of the competitive spirit exhibited by the students.  In 1955, he graduated Cum Laude from Hobart College where he was a distinguished ROTC graduate and was inducted into the Hobart Hall of Fame for his accomplishments on the football field.  The Baltimore Colts had an interest in Richard, however, he had a six year commitment to the US Air Force.  Thus began an esteemed career that spanned four decades.  During his career, he was awarded the Air Force’s highest award, the Distinguished Flying Cross for 161 combat missions flown during the Vietnam War.  He was also awarded six combat medals.  Upon reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, he held many positions, most notably, Command of 20 megatons of Minuteman II nuclear missiles. At Grand Forks AFB, ND.  He completed his military career as the Chief of War Plans for Strategic Arms Command.

Following his discharge on April 30, 1984, he worked for Boeing Aircraft Company as an industrial and logistics engineer.  Richard was a SEC Registered Investment Advisor, working for Shearson Lehman Brokerage Firm.  Richard was an avid businessman and entrepreneur.  He and his wife owned Bresler’s 33 Flavors Ice Cream Shops in Shreveport, LA.  They also owned several apartment buildings that were turned into YWCA Homes for Abused Women.  Upon his retirement from all of his ventures, he returned to Medina where he was a fixture in the village, being seen at the diners for breakfast or lunch and a daily stop at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library where he would read the paper and check his stocks on the computer.  He was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Parish/St. Mary’s Church, Butts-Clark Post #204, American Legion and Lincoln Post #1483, Veterans of Foreign Wars.  Richard was a man of strong opinions which he liked to share with those he met.  Wherever Richard lived or visited, he would always share stories about his childhood and what a great place Medina was to grow up. 

Survivors include his children, Richard F. (Cynthia) Turoski, Jr., John A. (Margaret) Turoski, Diane Lynn Turoski and Ann M. (Jack) Corrao; grandchildren, 8 grandchildren, Richard III, Victoria, Alexandra, John, Jr., Michael, Joseph, Amanda and Sara; 3 great grandchildren, Joey, Jr., Sophia and Noah; his former wife, Elaine Antoinette (Pogorzelski) Turoski; many Sevenski cousins and friends.

Friends may call on Tuesday, October 23, 2018 (11-12:30) at the Cooper Funeral Home, 215 West Center Street, Medina, followed by his memorial service at 12:30PM officiated by The Rev. Daniel J. Fawls, pastor of Holy Trinity Parish.  Members of Lincoln Post #1483, VFW and Butts-Clark Post #204, American Legion will conduct military honors at the funeral home at 1:00.  Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Lee-Whedon Memorial Library or Holy Trinity Parish to be used for the poor and the betterment of the Community.

Richard Turoski was a true Patriot who loved the United States of America and stood tall among other great statesman.