Turpin, Colin Richard

The world has lost a truly beautiful, caring, and intelligent Englishman. Colin Richard Turpin, beloved husband, father, brother, and friend passed away March 20, 2018. Colin Richard (Dick) Turpin was born at an early age on March 9^th, 1938 in the London suburb of Teddington, in the county of Middlesex. It is thought that when Adolf Hitler heard of his birth he ordered the invasion of Poland leading to the start of World War II. He lived through World War II in London with his family. During the war, one of their homes was severely damaged during a German air raid when a bomb landed on the houses across the street. Like most children, when bombings became too dangerous, he was sent to the countryside for safety. Growing up near London, Colin attended Christ Church Primary School, St. Marks Secondary School, and the Twickenham Institute of Technology. Upon completion of his studies in Engineering, Colin took an apprenticeship at the Admiralty Research Laboratory (part of the National Physical and National Chemical Labs) in Teddington. After his apprenticeship, he joined the Merchant Navy, and served as an engineer on a Bank Line Shipping Company ship. Colin was a motoring enthusiast and a music lover and musician. In his teenage years, he enjoyed jazz and jive dancing, and spent many days on the music-centric, Eel Pie Island. He played 6-string and 12-string guitar and banjo and even formed a “skiffle” group with his friends who called themselves The Highwaymen. Colin also loved ice skating, and was a relatively good seamstress. Although these are traits that one doesn’t find in a man often, they are just of the things that made Colin incredible and unique. When Colin’s service in the Merchant Navy was complete, he moved from England to Montreal, Canada. There, he worked for the prestigious Rolls Royce Aircraft Engine Company as an aero engineeer for several years. While in Montreal, Colin met Cinderella (Cindy), and their fairy tale began. When he found employment in the United States, and assumed the relationship would not withstand the distance, but instead of taking that risk, he and Cindy were engaged and he began working towards immigrating her to Texas so that the two of them could be together. In 1968, the wait was over and Colin and Cindy were married in Montreal, and a few short months later, Cinderella immigrated to Texas to continue their storybook life. Through their years in Texas, they made many friends and enjoyed an exciting life as any 20 and 30-something couples would have in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s: they traveled, danced, mingled with other ex-pats at local pubs like the Cedar Pub, Nick Farrelly’s Lounge (the NFL), and The Quiet Man. And although he was an Englishman, Colin was part of the group who began the traditions of the North Texas Irish Festival and the Dallas St. Paddys Day Parade! Colin was a brilliant designing engineer who worked until he was 70. Even then, his love for designing and building things with his hands never ceased. He could often be found tinkering with model (and full size) cars, planes, trains, and boats. Colin is survived by his wife of 49 1/2 years, Cinderella (Cindy); their children – Sean and Natalie; his brother Malcolm and wife Shula; longtime friend and former spouse Sheila, and the many other family, friends, and several beloved pets. He is preceded in death by his mother, Maggie, and his father, Ernest. A funeral service for Colin will be held at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Dallas, Sunday, April 15th at 1:00 pm. — Truth is a deep kindness that teaches us to be content in our everyday life and share with the people the same happiness ~ khalil gibran Arrangements are under the direction of ARIA Cremation Service and Funeral Home 19310 Preston Road Dallas, Texas 75252 214-306-6700