AUBURN — Peter J. Turner of New Gloucester, died Wednesday, Feb. 1.

He was born in Portland, Aug. 18, 1942, the oldest of three children of Frank G. and Margaret G. (McCrosson) Turner. He grew up in South Portland, graduating from Holy Cross Grammar School (1956) and Cheverus High School (1960).

He attended St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Nova Scotia. In 1977, he was awarded a bachelor of science with a major in accounting, Magna Cum Laude, from the University of Maine at Portland-Gorham and a master of business administration in 1986 from the University of Southern Maine.

His working career included Sears, Roebuck and Co., the Church World, ITT, Sweda International, a Litton Industries subsidiary, chief financial officer at Catholic Charities Maine and, most recently, director of administration at the law firm of Robinson, Kriger and McCallum, P.A. He retired from the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve after 37 years in port security, training, recruiting and public affairs. He was the part-time bookkeeper for the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Portland, for 25 years. He was an adjunct professor of accounting at St. Joseph’s College, Standish, for eight years.

At various times, he served as a board member of multiple organizations, most noticeably: chair of the board of directors of the Church World; chair of the board of directors of McAuley Residence; chair of the board of trustees of Cheverus High School, treasurer of Goodwill Industries of Northern New England; president of the Goodwill Development Board; and the finance committee of the board of directors of Catholic Charities USA, Washington, D.C.

He was a past treasurer/secretary, past vice president and past president of the Downeast Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators. For several years, he served as treasurer of the Royal River Rod and Gun Club.

He was president of the Church of St. Gregory the Great parish council in Gray. He served on the budget and CIP Committees of the town of New Gloucester. He was treasurer of the Bible Society of Maine.

He was a charter member of St. Edmund’s Knights of Columbus Council 11016, Westbrook; charter grand knight of the Bishop Amedee Proulx K of C Council 11257, Portland; holder of various offices in the Westbrook Fourth Degree Assembly and a former K of C district deputy.

He was a lay leader and eucharistic minister at the Church of St. Gregory the Great. He was a member of the Portland Eagles, the Gray Post of the American Legion and Post 6 of the Amvets in New Gloucester.

The president of Cheverus High School awarded Peter and Marion the “Crescamus in Illo” award in 1996 for “years of generous service and dedication to the young men of Cheverus High School and to people throughout the world.” As chair of the board of trustees of Cheverus High School, he played a key role during the expansion and building years in which the school transitioned from a single sex to a co-educational college preparatory high school.

He was an extremely intelligent, charming and giving person with a tremendously strong work ethic. But, above all of these important accomplishments and contributions, the most significant was his unwavering commitment and dedication to his faith and family and the virtues and qualities he instilled in each of his 10 children. He recognized no barriers and there were no sacrifices too big when it came to the well-being of his family. He was particularly proud of his children, all of whom returned to settle in southern Maine after finishing their education at universities and colleges throughout the Northeast and the Maritimes.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, the former Marion Edna Locke; two daughters, Mrs. Dean (Diane) Smith of Durham and Mrs. Shawn (Kathryn) Johnson of Naples; eight sons, Lawrence and his wife, Beth, of Windham, Michael and his wife, Charline, of Scarborough, David and his wife, Aimee, of South Portland, Brian and his wife, Catherine, of South Portland, Jason of Portland, Peter Jr. and his wife, Paula, of New Gloucester, John of Portland and Stephen and his wife, Liesl, of Windham; two sisters, Sister Ellen L. Turner, R.S.M., of Portland and Mrs. Richard (Margaret Ann) Parenteau of Biddeford; he leaves 15 grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews and their families.