By Mariana Echeverri Alvarez, Communications Coordinator

Photo credit: Free Press

 

MSSA Media Roll of Honour: Randy Turner – A Legacy of Storytelling and Humanity

There’s a photo of former Free Press reporter Randy Turner from a time he was writing a feature story related to youth hockey where, with his pen clenched in his teeth, Turner is helping a young player snap the cage to their helmet. The moment captured was vintage Turner – laser-focused on getting the story but always taking time to be a kind human. It would be, in fact, difficult to recall a time when Turner wasn’t smiling.

Turner, who passed away at age 57 on March 13, 2019, after a battle with cancer, was a gifted writer known for his sharp wit, clever sense of humour, and self-deprecating charm. But above all, Turner was recognized as a preeminent storyteller, a dedicated journalist, and a joyful, loyal friend to those who knew him.

 

A Brilliant Career in Journalism

While sports writing was Turner’s first love, his 32-year career at The Free Press also saw him contribute prolifically to news and feature writing. He was a two-time National Newspaper Award winner and seven-time nominee. Turner authored three books, including Back in the Bigs and The First Season, which chronicled the return of the Winnipeg Jets, and City Beautiful, which explored Winnipeg’s architecture.

Turner’s impact on Manitoba’s hockey history was also recognized when he became the first recipient of the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame’s Ed Sweeney Memorial Award. Throughout his career, he covered five Olympic Games, world junior hockey championships, Stanley Cup and Grey Cup playoffs, and finals.

 

A Lasting Legacy

Hailing from Boissevain and a graduate of Red River College Polytechnic’s Creative Communications program, Turner began his journalism career at the Selkirk Journal. He joined The Free Press in 1987, first on the rural beat, before moving to the sports department in 1993. In 2010, he transitioned back to the news department to focus on feature stories. Randy Turner’s work as a writer and his impact on the community will be remembered for years to come.