1943 – 2013

MOJAVE, Calif. — Joseph Louis Turmel, 69, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 7, at his home, with his loving nephew James Elskamp and JoAnne by his side, after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born in Jay on Aug. 25, 1943, son of Antonio and Maria Lapointe Turmel. He was a graduate of Jay High School in the Class of 1962, and attended Wentworth Institute of Technology. He then served in the Air Force for four years, spending nine months in Vietnam.

He moved to Mojave, Calif., and was an airplane mechanic at Edwards Air Force Base in Mojave for 33 years. He traveled to many places in Europe to work on airplanes.

In his retirement, he traveled to Maine every year to visit his family. He loved going camping in his motor home, biking, walking in the woods and visiting new places.

He is survived by his sister, Armance and her husband, Bob Rich, of Auburn; his sister, Viola A. Aldrich of Norway; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his mother and father; his brothers, Real, Guy, Ulric, Bertrand and Emery; and his sisters, Rhea Cornelio, Liette Elskamp and Marie Poulin.