Northborough – Justin Michael Turner, 28, of Northborough Massachusetts, passed away on January 21, 2023, at his home in Maine.
A Celebration of Justin’s life will be held on Saturday February 4 from 1-3 at the First Parish UU Church, 40 Church Street, Northborough, Massachusetts. The family invites all who knew Justin to come together and to celebrate the brief but meaningful life of this young man who was so dearly loved.
Justin was born in Boston to Michael and Tracey Turner on Sept 1, 1994. He lived in Northborough, Massachusetts for most of his life with his parents and the pets he loved dearly. He graduated from Algonquin Regional High School in 2013. At an early age he had a great sense of humor, a desire to connect with people, a mischievous personality, and an energy that would draw other kids to follow him. This ‘energy’ was not always appreciated by adults charged with his care. He participated in Unitarian Universalist Sunday school, Cub Scouts, little league, and joined chorus in middle school with several of his friends. For 2 summers he and his cousins attended a music camp where he played drums. Justin enjoyed traveling and made trips to the southeast, Caribbean, Bahamas, as well as to visit family in South Carolina, California, and Mexico where his grandfather had a home. In 2019 he joined a family trip to Japan and always thought of returning.
After graduation he worked in the restaurant field for many years, including at the Verve hotel and then a long-term role at Hillside Grill in Northborough, where the family took him under their wing and he learned all aspects of the restaurant business. His smile could be seen behind the counter on most days. In August of 2021, he moved to Bridgton Maine to pursue a new stage of his life. He enjoyed his work, and he was proud of the new skills he was learning. He was excelling in his career and made a positive impact on everyone he came to know. Justin valued the time with his friends, whether it be barbecuing in the back yard, dinners out for a Korean feast, or connecting in a video game chat room to meet up with fiends locally and across the world.
Justin is survived by his parents Mike and Tracey, his Grandmother Betty Forbis, as well as aunts and uncle, cousins, and so many others who loved him and considered him family. In the end, Justin succumbed to his struggle with substance abuse, but he will be remembered for the good times, his humor and especially for his hugs. He is watching over us waiting for the next opportunity to make us smile.
The family suggests that if a memorial donation is desired, a suggestion is that it be made to an animal rescue organization.
