By Michael Donoghue, Vermont News First

Milton Town Manager Donald H. Turner Jr., who earlier served his community for a dozen years as a state legislator, has lost his battle to brain cancer.

Turner, often dubbed “Mr. Milton,” died surrounded by family at the McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester on Saturday. He was 60.

Turner took a paid medical leave as Milton town manager in July to seek treatment when the glioblastoma was detected.

His death came after a few special events that brought smiles to Turner’s face in his final months. He was honored when the town of Milton named its new $6.5 million public works garage after him when it was unveiled in October. He helped the town save $3 million on the project.

Turner, who was well known for working across the political aisle with Democrats in Montpelier for the best for Vermont, had more smiles on his face in November when told Vermonters elected additional Republicans and more middle of the road Democrats in the General Election to help his longtime friend, Gov. Phil Scott.

“Don was the embodiment of public service, from his decades of dedication to the Milton Volunteer Fire Department, to his time as a leader in the State House, as town manager in his beloved Milton, and the countless other roles he held over the years,” Scott said today.

“I had the honor of serving in Montpelier with Don for well over a decade. Don was the Minority Leader in the House when I became Governor and we worked together on shared priorities. He was respected and liked by most everyone he met and worked with. Whether you agreed with him or not, he treated all with dignity, respect and kindness.

“Few have had such a profound impact on their hometowns as Don has in Milton. He touched and improved so many lives, and as a result his legacy will live on.

“I share my deepest condolences with his family, friends and community during this difficult time. In honor of his memory, I am ordering the United States and Vermont flags to half-staff on Friday, December 6.”

Turner had a 12-year career at the Statehouse in Montpelier, including serving as the House Minority leader for eight years.

Friends say Turner prided himself by introducing many bills focused on property tax relief, affordability, economic growth, housing development, government modernization, budgetary management, public safety, and permitting reform.

Milton Selectboard Chair Darren Adams, who had been friends with Turner for 30 years, said Sunday it was a real loss for Milton and Vermont.

“Don is like a brother to me. These last 7 years as town manager — it was a great experience for me. We had ‘Mr. Milton’ as the town manager,” Adams said.

“Don was one of those rare people that we need more in public service in state and local politics — willing to work with anyone. There is less of that in public service these days,” he said.

“We lost another one earlier this year with Senator (Dick) Mazza, a Democrat. They could work with anybody and were willing to make things work, no matter the party,” Adams said.

Former state Republican legislator Kurt Wright of Burlington said it was a dark day for Vermont.

“Don Turner’s passing is a very sad day, and I know so many people are mourning his loss,” Wright said.

“He was a passionate advocate for his district, his town and the State of Vermont,” said Wright, who spent 9 terms in Montpelier.

Turner was known as “Mr. Milton,” for all his hard work, Wright said.

“He leaves behind a legacy, and I, like many others, will miss him greatly,” Wright said.

Wright, who now co-hosts the “Morning Drive Show” on WVMT-AM/FM in Colchester with Anthony Neri, would invite Turner onto the show as a fill-in co-host or a special guest to talk politics or Milton because of his insight.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday Dec. 7th at the Donald H. Turner, Jr. Public Works Building at the Milton Municipal Complex off Bombardier Drive.

Besides his wife of 40 years Gail, Turner is survived by his three daughters, his parents Nancy and Donald Turner Sr., two siblings and a large extended family.

Turner was first named acting Milton town manager in 2017. He later got the permanent post – and did double duty while completing his legislative term in January 2019.

He was well known for being fiscally responsible when serving the Statehouse and as the municipal manager in Milton — the 9th largest community in Vermont.

Turner could often be found walking in Milton and talking with residents about the issues of the day.

The Champlain College graduate often said the Milton Town Manager’s job was perhaps the most rewarding because he could take immediate positive changes or steps for residents without having to get 180 legislators to agree. Turner said it was even more special because Milton was where he was born, raised and schooled in the town where his parents still live there.

The manager’s job was the last in a long line of public service posts Turner held. Besides his legislative seat, he served for more than three decades with both Milton Fire Department and Milton Rescue, rising to the post of chief and also was a Vermont certified fire instructor. He also was a longtime Milton Justice of the Peace.

Turner, in his lone statewide race, lost in his effort in 2018 to unseat Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman, P/D. Turner’s campaign was based on affordability, economic growth, balance and collaboration.

He followed in the work footsteps of his father at Donald Turner and Sons Construction. He was known for work as a real estate developer, broker, and having investment properties.

The Milton Selectboard appointed two town administrators in July to fill in temporarily during Turner’s absence. Amber N. Baker, the finance director, and John Bartlett, the director of human resources and operations continue to serve as acting co-Town Managers.

Adams said the town faces “big shoes to fill” in replacing Turner. He called replacing Turner as “Mission Impossible.”

He said the Selectboard will postpone seeking a replacement until after Town Meeting in March. He said the board and the two acting co-managers are about to start the cumbersome process of preparing the annual municipal budget for voter consideration on Town Meeting Day in March.

Adams said Baker and Bartlett have both used their respective strengths to help oversee the town in recent months.

The night Turner was placed on leave, he was not present to hear more good news. He had tightened finances enough that the proposed tax rate for Milton in 2024-25 would be even less than projected.

Turner also has been credited with getting the long-stalled Hour Glass Project to improve traffic safety at the hazardous intersection of U.S. 7, Railroad Street and Middle Road moving forward.

During his legislative years Turner served on various committees, including Human Services (2006), Institutions and Corrections (2007), General, Housing and Military Affairs (2008), Commerce and Economic Development (2009-2012) and Education (2013-2014).

His legislation often was designed to improve the operations of state government, reduce property tax bills, eliminate taxes on incomes from Social Security and military retirements, and address unfunded pension liabilities.

Turner also served on the Supervisory Board of the Vermont Federal Credit Union and the Milton Board of Civil Authority.

He was a member of Mason Seneca Lodge #40, Milton Republican Committee, Vermont State Firefighters Association, International Association of Fire Chiefs, Milton Firefighters Association, Northwest Vermont Board of Realtors, Vermont Association of Realtors, and the National Association of Realtors.

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