Rest in peace, Turpin

**Dixiecat** · 26th April 13, 07:07 AM

First of all, I want to thank Xmarksthescot. If it wasn't for this web forum, I wouldn't have met as many wonderful people of the course of my involvement here. One of these people was Turpin, who I met at an Xmarks meetup at the Stone Mountain Highland Games in 2011. I knew of Turp from his posts here and thought he was an ok bloke. But, I wasn't prepared to be charmed off my feet by the most handsome kilted man at the whole Games. He always told the story how he couldn't believe his luck in getting me to visit the House of Gordon tent, so he proceeded to teach me about scotch and get me bleery-eyed enough to convince me that I should go out with him. It worked. For my part, I told him that he looked good before, he looked better when I was three scotches in, and he still looked good when I sobered up.

We were together until the end. Maintaining the relationship between Nova Scotia and Georgia wasn't easy, but we managed. It got tougher when he was diagnosed back in the fall, but it became a lifeline for both of us. He passed away peacefully holding both his daughter and my hands, with his sister and a dear old friend by his side.

Thanks to Jim (TheScot) who came out to visit with Turp. He seemed calmer after their chat. Jim, your post of Turpin's picture in this thread touched his entire family. We downloaded the picture and it was the center piece of a photo memory table of Turpin and his family. It caught his spirit indeed.

Thanks to all for the posts in my previous thread. It turned out that Turp never got to read them, but I know he would have been touched if he had. He sincerely appreciated everything that people did for him during this short journey.

I can't believe he's gone and I'm wandering his house looking for him. I'll be going home tomorrow and will carry his spirit in my heart.

Thank you.

**creagdhubh** · 26th April 13, 07:12 AM

Originally Posted by Dixiecat

First of all, I want to thank Xmarksthescot. If it wasn't for this web forum, I wouldn't have met as many wonderful people of the course of my involvement here. One of these people was Turpin, who I met at an Xmarks meetup at the Stone Mountain Highland Games in 2011. I knew of Turp from his posts here and thought he was an ok bloke. But, I wasn't prepared to be charmed off my feet by the most handsome kilted man at the whole Games. He always told the story how he couldn't believe his luck in getting me to visit the House of Gordon tent, so he proceeded to teach me about scotch and get me bleery-eyed enough to convince me that I should go out with him. It worked. For my part, I told him that he looked good before, he looked better when I was three scotches in, and he still looked good when I sobered up.

We were together until the end. Maintaining the relationship between Nova Scotia and Georgia wasn't easy, but we managed. It got tougher when he was diagnosed back in the fall, but it became a lifeline for both of us. He passed away peacefully holding both his daughter and my hands, with his sister and a dear old friend by his side.

Thanks to Jim (TheScot) who came out to visit with Turp. He seemed calmer after their chat. Jim, your post of Turpin's picture in this thread touched his entire family. We downloaded the picture and it was the center piece of a photo memory table of Turpin and his family. It caught his spirit indeed.

Thanks to all for the posts in my previous thread. It turned out that Turp never got to read them, but I know he would have been touched if he had. He sincerely appreciated everything that people did for him during this short journey.

I can't believe he's gone and I'm wandering his house looking for him. I'll be going home tomorrow and will carry his spirit in my heart.

Thank you.

Very, very touching Dixiecat. Thank you for sharing this with us. I never had the honour of meeting Turpin, but I was able to converse with him through this forum over the years. I am so sorry for your loss and my thoughts and prayers are with you and with all those who Turpin has left behind. It sounds like he was an amazing man and ever the gentleman. It is quite evident that he will be missed greatly.

Yours aye,

**auld argonian** · 26th April 13, 07:46 AM

So long, Turp....

"Now cracks a noble heart.
Good night, sweet prince,
And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!—"

AA

**RockyR** · 26th April 13, 08:14 AM

I only spoke to him a few times and sent him scraps for customer sporrans to match their kilts. He always did good work and was highly regarded. It's a sad day and a big loss.

**davidlpope** · 26th April 13, 08:19 AM

These lines from the song "The Parting Glass" came to mind when I learned of Turpin's passing:

Of all the comrades that e'er I had
They're sorry for my going away
And all the sweethearts that e'er I had
They'd wish me one more day to stay
But since it fell unto my lot
That I should rise and you should not
I gently rise and softly call
Good night and joy be to you all

Fill to me the parting glass
And drink a health whate’er befalls
And gently rise and softly call
Good night and joy be to you all

I pray for peace and strength for those who loved, and were loved by, Turpin. He was a grand fellow and always brought a smile to my face.

**moggi1964** · 26th April 13, 08:32 AM

I'm new here (actually accepted as a member the night before Turpin died) so I didn't get to know him.

I'm commenting because the picture below reminded me of how we are all children at some point, playing dress-up and the like and then, later, we share the fate of Turpin and our breath leaves us a final time. But what I think is important is how many people you touch in a positive way in the period in between and clearly Turpin touched many as evidenced by the number of posts in this thread.

My condolences to those who knew him.

Originally Posted by McFarkus

I thought the XMTS community might enjoy this picture from Halloween (1958 is my guess). Turpin was an early adopter of unbifurcated garments.

**McFarkus** · 26th April 13, 09:30 AM

Originally Posted by Dixiecat

First of all, I want to thank Xmarksthescot. If it wasn't for this web forum, I wouldn't have met as many wonderful people of the course of my involvement here. One of these people was Turpin, who I met at an Xmarks meetup at the Stone Mountain Highland Games in 2011. I knew of Turp from his posts here and thought he was an ok bloke. But, I wasn't prepared to be charmed off my feet by the most handsome kilted man at the whole Games. He always told the story how he couldn't believe his luck in getting me to visit the House of Gordon tent, so he proceeded to teach me about scotch and get me bleery-eyed enough to convince me that I should go out with him. It worked. For my part, I told him that he looked good before, he looked better when I was three scotches in, and he still looked good when I sobered up.

We were together until the end. Maintaining the relationship between Nova Scotia and Georgia wasn't easy, but we managed. It got tougher when he was diagnosed back in the fall, but it became a lifeline for both of us. He passed away peacefully holding both his daughter and my hands, with his sister and a dear old friend by his side.

Thanks to Jim (TheScot) who came out to visit with Turp. He seemed calmer after their chat. Jim, your post of Turpin's picture in this thread touched his entire family. We downloaded the picture and it was the center piece of a photo memory table of Turpin and his family. It caught his spirit indeed.

Thanks to all for the posts in my previous thread. It turned out that Turp never got to read them, but I know he would have been touched if he had. He sincerely appreciated everything that people did for him during this short journey.

I can't believe he's gone and I'm wandering his house looking for him. I'll be going home tomorrow and will carry his spirit in my heart.

Thank you.

Beverly, I'm sorry I didn't meet you when you visited Chicago. I know from Turpin how important you have been in his life the last couple of years. He had an extra bounce in his step and twinkle in his eyes when he spoke of you. I am so grateful for all you have done for him and our family. I'm sure it was difficult but it is wonderful that you were able to be with him at the end. Best regards, Mark

**rmccool** · 26th April 13, 12:21 PM

My condolences to those who loved Turpin; may God grant you peace and comfort.

I never had the pleasure of meeting him, but it's easy enough to judge a man by those who love and respect him. Turpin was obviously a man worthy of both. I have no doubt he's journeyed to a finer place, and now will be waiting for the rest of us to catch up.