Ed Turner, Retired SIU VP and MC&S Founder, DiesRetired SIU Executive Vice President Ed Turner, a link to the union’s storied past and a former president of the Marine Cooks and Stewards (MC&S), died April 30. He was 82.
Nearly 70 years ago, with the seamen’s movement facing extreme challenges, Brother Turner was part of a generation of labor leaders who recognized the deep sea sailor and laid the foundation for improved wages, working conditions and job security. He also played a pivotal role in many of the union’s early organizing drives.
“Ed was an extremely loyal and dedicated member of our union for more than six decades,” noted SIU President Michael Sacco. “He always promoted the interests of Seafarers and the good of the maritime industry first. We all will miss him a great deal.”
“He did a lot of good things for the Marine Cooks and Stewards (MC&S),” noted SIU Assistant Vice President Nick Celona, referring to the union that merged into the SIU’s Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District in 1978. “Ed was one of the old guard and he enjoyed helping people. He was politically active and stayed involved with the union well past retirement.”
United States Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), in a letter of condolence to Turner’s son Tom, said, “Ed was a man who wore may hats and wore them all very well. I remember him when he served as President of the Marine Cooks and Stewards and later became a hardworking and well-respected Executive Vice President of the Seafarers Union. He served with honor and distinction and earned the reputation of integrity and fairness. He worked hard to ensure a high standard of safety in the workplace and fair wages for workers. He did so much for so many in San Francisco, and he will be sorely missed by all who were fortunate to know him, especially by his friends at the Calamari Club. He has set a standard of excellence for all who will follow in his footsteps.”
Turner was born in Flemingsburg, Ky., and was raised in Lucasville, Ohio. He was a man of many adventures and many accomplishments. Before the outbreak of World War II he joined the Navy. He was present during the bombing of Pearl Harbor. After serving his time in the Navy, he joined the SIU and quickly moved up the ladder to become a bosun.
In 1947 he became an organizer for the SIU. Four years later, Turner organized and founded the MC&S. Turner in 1957 was elected president of the MC&S and shortly thereafter founded one of the first maritime training schools in the hills of Santa Rosa, Calif., training thousands of men and women for the steward department in the maritime industry. He held the MC&S presidency until 1978 and was instrumental in merging the union with the AGLIWD. Following the merger of the two unions, Turner became SIU vice president West Coast. Prior to his retirement in 1985, he became executive vice president of the SIU.
In addition to the maritime industry, Turner also was active in many other organizations. He was a member of the San Francisco Blue Lodge No. 120 F&A.M., a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason and a Shriner. Turner was a member of the San Francisco Calamari Club, a director of the Red Cross Disaster Corp., Commonwealth Club of San Francisco., Irish/Italian Israeli Society, Navy League of the United States, and Propeller Club of the United States. He also was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
In past years, Turner was active in advising a number of humanitarian groups including the Apostleship Of the Sea, American League for the Handicapped, Colombian Missionary Fathers, Jewish Labor Committee, Samoan Civic Association, Seven Step Foundation, USO and the City of Hope, for which he was named Man of the Year and awarded the Golden Torch Award in 1971. He was a founding member and the first president of the American Merchant Marine Veterans Golden Gate Chapter.
Funeral services for Turner were held May 6 in Richmond, Calif. His wife of 54 years, Betty Jean Reynolds Turner, preceded in him death.
Survivors include his daughter, Jackie Hernandez; son and daughter-in-law, Tom Turner and Susan Turner; grandchildren, Betsy Dye, Larry Hernandez, Jeff Tice, Ed Turner II and Tom Turner Jr.; and great-grandchildren, Daniel Dye, Nicole Dye, Ashley Dye, Brittany Hernandez, Justin Turner, Simone Turner and Ed Turner III.
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