David Turkowski

Article Last Updated; Thursday, October 29, 2009 11:35AM

Turkowski

Durango resident David Turkowski died of cancer at Mercy Regional Medical Center on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009. He was 63.

Mr. Turkowski was born to Edward and Valerie Sidebottom Turkowski in Detroit on July 1, 1946.

He spent the majority of his life caring for the sick and dying as the director of cardio-pulmonary-function laboratories.

On Dec. 21, 1985, he married Beverly Forrest in Howell, Mich.

The Turkowskis moved to Durango, her hometown, 11 years ago from Show Low, Ariz. He worked as a respiratory specialist at Mercy.

"He loved his animals, traveling with dear friends Sandy and John Helpin and, most of all, his beloved wife," his family wrote.

Mr. Turkowski was preceded in death by his wife of 25 years, Beverly Forrest-Turkowski.

He is survived by his father, Edward Turkowski, of Alger, Mich.; sisters Lauri Wilson-Lacy of Durango, Cheryl Sauvage of Fort Lauerdale, Fla., and Tammy Hauler of Fowlerville, Mich.; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

A rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. today, Oct. 29, 2009, at Hood Mortuary Chapel. A memorial service will take place at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, 2009, also at Hood.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Mercy Health Foundation, 1010 Three Springs Blvd., Durango, CO 81301.