The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

Schuyler Falls – October 8, 2019 would have been Francis Brown Turner’s 97th birthday. Instead, the North Country native, WWII veteran and school teacher was laid to rest in the Schuyler Falls Cemetery next to his wife Barbara Randall Turner and their three sons.  At the time of his death on April 27, 2019, he was believed to be our nation’s oldest living Eagle Scout. Mr. Turner spent most of his working life in the Utica-Rome area. For the last 20 years he resided in Flowery Branch, Georgia.

Mrs. Lyu Hardishek, his longtime caregiver, brought Turner’s ashes from Georgia for burial. She commented, “All heroes do not have a pivotal moment that changes the outcome of a situation. Mr. Turner was a humble hero as a teacher, a dedicated father (all three of the Turner’s sons suffered from Downs Syndrome), a loving husband and an Eagle Scout who was committed to leaving this world better than he found it.”

Called to active duty in 1943, Francis Brown Turner’s was awarded the American Campaign Service Medal, European/African Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, two Bronze Stars, WWII Victory Medal and a Good Conduct Medal.

Following World War II he married, earned a teaching degree from Plattsburgh State, taught school and did charity work for veteran groups and his communities. Last year at age 96 he created a drive for Camp Corral, a program dedicated to assisting the children of fallen and disabled veterans.

Mrs. Hardishek was escorted to Schuyler Falls by retired USAF Col. John Spangler and Diana Smith, members of the Chateau Elan Military Support Foundation of Braselton, GA. The New York Patriot Guard Riders escorted them from Utica to the Schuyler Falls Cemetery.

Many members of North Country VFW Posts, American Legion Posts, North Country Honor Flight, Disabled American Veterans and Boy Scout Troops attended Tuesday’s ceremony.  Peru VFW Post 309 Ladies Auxiliary hosted a meal following the ceremony.