Colonel Nicholas J. Turchiano, U.S. Army Retired

Nicholas J. Turchiano, 82, of Savannah, Georgia went peacefully home to the Lord on Friday, October 18th, 2024 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He is survived by his beloved wife of 41 years, Jean Turchiano; his daughter Elena Wright Turchiano; son Christopher Turchiano (DeAna); son Thomas Hoover; son Christopher Hoover (Kristen); brother Peter Turchiano; grandchildren Amanda (Brad), Kaley (Bill), Laura, Evan, Dylan, Chloe, Christopher Jr., Cayden, Skylar, Ryder, Jenna, and Meadow; Great grandchildren Avah Grace, Maddie Faith, Noah and Greenley. He is preceded in death by his parents Pasquale and Mary Franz Turchiano.

Nick was born in Brooklyn, New York on January 13th, 1942. Nick graduated from Hofstra University in 1963 and immediately commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Nick honorably served for 29 years as an Infantry officer and his duties included two combat tours to Vietnam where he was awarded the Silver Star, two bronze stars with valor device and two Purple Hearts.

Nick retired from service in 1992 and transitioned from leading soldiers to teaching students at Killeen High School in Killeen, Texas. He taught U.S Government, History, and International Baccalaureate for fifteen years and retired in 2008. After retirement he and Jean enjoyed many travels including a pilgrimage to The Holy Land. Nick was always a faithful servant of the Lord with his church, and before relocating to Savannah in 2020, he served as a Lay Eucharistic minister and hospital ministry with St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Harker Heights, Texas. He was an active member of the Harker Heights Rotary Club and he and his wife Jean volunteered with the Meals on Wheels program together for several years. Every Wednesday you could find Nick on the golf course with his buddies and then enjoying his favorite barbecue at Rudy’s in Killeen.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00AM on Saturday, October 26th, 2024 at the Catholic Pastoral Center, 2170 E. Victory Drive in Savannah, GA 31404. Visitation with the family will be held at 10:00 AM, followed by a Rosary at 10:45 AM and Mass beginning at 11:00 AM. Immediately following Mass, there will be a funeral procession from the Pastoral Center to Catholic Cemetery at 1720 Wheaton St, Savannah, GA 31404. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Alzheimer’s Association or the St. James the Less Catholic Church.

Our family would like to express a special gratitude to Spanish Oaks Hospice; especially Beverly Polite, Chaplain Drew and Lori Shindell. Special Love and gratitude to Nick’s long-time caregiver and friend, Lakeisha Polite.