Anne and I would like to send our condolences to the McCollum family on Turq's passing. We knew Turq and Joan while we were living in Hay River. He had an amazing sense of humour and also had a joke to tell. Our daughter, Lisa, was 2 years old when Turq baptized her. During the ceremony, she decided it was time to walk out of the church! Turq calmly commented (with a smile) that was the first time anyone had left in the middle of their baptism.

I had the opportunity to fly Turq and Bishop John Sperry in our Cessna Skymaster around the NWT and Nunavut while visiting communities with Anglican Missions. John would usually sit in the co-pilot seat and we would play chess on flight legs over 1 hour long. Turg would sit in a back seat and keep us entertained with jokes. On one tour, we visited Sachs Harbour and were invited to a community feast, during which "curried" caribou was the main course. The next day on the flight home to Hay River (with a fuel stop in Norman Wells) Turq ended up with a "severe" case of gas and even though it was wintertime, John and I needed our fresh air vents wide open. Turq continued to tell jokes. He was an amazing man and will be missed.

Larry and Anne Buckmaster

Kelowna BC

Dear McCollum family;

It is with a heavy heart I learned of dear Turq's passing.

In 1960 we lived in Gunnar Mines in northern Saskatchewan.

Turq flew in to officiate at our wedding.

In 1962, Peter, you flew in with your father, for our daughter's baptism.

When we moved to Calgary and began attending St. Stephen's church we were delight to see your father again and to meet your dear mother.

Our association was of many happy years.

It fills my heart with great joy to know my dear husband, your mother, and your father are once again reunited.

May God bless each of you and give you comfort at this most difficult time. Sincerely Joan Buck

We are so grateful to Betty Gaudin and Kathy McClellan for passing on Turq's obituary. As Judith said we have happy memories of Turq, Joan, and McCollum family from the 1960s in Beaverlodge. Turq and Joan were a wonderful presence in the community. I have a very humorous memory of Turq which my Dad took a picture of. The 24th of May parade was taking place on the Main Street of Beaverlodge and a number of people had seated themselves on the steps of St. Luke's Church for a better view. Turq had quickly whipped out the collection plate and was jokingly trying to get people to pay for their seats!

Jenny, do your remember how we sang and danced in the empty St. Luke's Church Hall, and played pirates in your cellar (as you called it) and basement (as I called it)?

Love and prayers to you all at this difficult time,

Mary-Clare Carder

Our condolences to the McCollum Family for the loss of both Joan & Turq. We have very fond memories of their friendship with our family, their loving service to St. Luke's congregation, and warm, camaraderie work for the community of the Beaverlodge area. Such fun and giving people! Thoughts of them bring smiles. May you feel their love surrounding you always,

Judith & Mary-Clare Carder on the behalf of the Carder Family

I was very fond of both Turq and Joan (at St. Stephen's Calgary) Please accept my condolences on your loss. Even though he was obviously unwell the last time I saw him, he was still cheerful, uncomplaining and asking about my family. "Well done good and faithful servant"

Patty Rhodes Brink

At St. Stephen's Anglican Church, we were so very fortunate to have Turq (and Joan) move to Calgary to spend their retirement years. I knew of a life before in the "north" - and didn't appreciate how all of his children remained in Whitehorse and Hay River. We were so blessed to have Turq be an honorary priest for so many years. He had a fierce sense of humour - and loved to laugh. Prayers and hugs to all the children and grandchildren that remain. Lynda Greuel

My sisters and I are deeply moved by Turq's passing. He was a great friend to our late father "Haak". They had many things in common and spent many good times together talking about the war, airplanes and life. They were known to have had a glass of Vermouth on occasion! He was a huge comfort and confidant to our dad as his health took a turn and he lost both legs. We know he influenced our fathers ability to accept and manage his life situation. We are forever grateful for his gift of friendship, kindness and humor. Condolences to your family. He was a wonderful man.

The Haakenstad Family

My condolences to Jenny,Peter, Kathy and your families - Your Dad was a wonderful man, he used to come to the legion just to have a pickled egg or two and I enjoyed the conversations we had. I also used to make him pickled eggs as my husband used to deliver groceries to the store in Hay River. If there was one broken egg on the flat they were refused. Way too many for my family so I boiled them up and made him pickled eggs. Jenny I used to love it when you and Barb got into trouble and how both of you grumbled about his long lecture and how Dad was point blank to the point

I remember Turq and Joan with affection from the Beaverlodge days.

Later, when they had returned north and we lived in Grande Prairie, Turq often stayed with us when he came out for meetings or conferences. It was always a great pleasure to have time for a catch-up visit and to experience again his wonderful sense of humour.

Turq's life of service to God and love for his fellow human beings has been an inspiration to many people.

"Well done, good and faithful servant"

Kathy McClellan

He came to Pine Point early 1983 to baptize my son and my nephew. He was in a hurry to head back home but when we invited him for cake he said “Well now I always have time for cake”. A very dear man. I’m so happy that he had so many years to enjoy life.

Please accept my most heartfelt condolences for the family. A great man with a warm smile.

My deepest & sincere condolences to Jenny, Peter, & Kathy (and their families) on the loss of their father, a great & wonderful man.

Turq was my favourite and I remember him fondly. He had a great sense of humour. My mom was a member of the Women's Auxiliary and he often came by the house or called her regarding the Thrift shop, Sunday school, an upcoming church bazaar, or the prayer chain and if I answered the phone we always had a nice chat before asking to speak with my mom. Considering I was just a teenager then, it made a great impression on me that he'd take the time to chat with me.

Turq and Joan were a highly revered couple in the north who always offered friendship and humour to those they met. Sincere condolences and prayers to Jenny and Stan their children as well as all of his family and friends who will miss him dearly.

My deepest sympathy to the family.

Such fond memories of Turk. He was born the same day as me. May 12. He married my sister Clara and Dennis Dalcol. 48 yrs ago here in Hay River. I grew up with Kathy his daughter. We had many good chats. Turk was loved by many. May The Lord take him home. Condolences to his family.

The Reverend Turq McCollum, married Linda Schofield to me at Hay River in November 1972. He was a large figure in the community of Hay River and I am very happy to see he will be returned to the home he loved. May he rest in peace in this good place.

I have so many memories of Rev. Turq around my grandparents house in Hay River. Don & Doreen Stewart. They were great friends! We even travelled together to Expo 86. My brother & I were quite young at the time but Rev. Turq always had time to chat with us along the way. He got such a kick out of my brother Donny stealing his umbrella at the NT Pavilion & sneaking around the Security Guards James Bond style. My deepest condolences to the whole family in the loss of such a great father & grandfather. There sure will be a welcome wagon for him up there:) Love, Lisa Bidniak-Schumann

Sorry for your loss prayers

Such a lovely man, my condolences to his family. May he rest in peace.

Sandi Webb

Turq was one of the friendliest people ever also loved to tease people. My first memory of him was a peony he brought to the hospital while I had my daughter Sami and Jenny had Sarah. The girls are still friends and I am proud to say so are Jenny and I. Turq did this. My condolences to the families I am honoured to have known both parents R I P

The Dechief family