Help Celebrate Brian's Life and Legacy
The past five years have proven to be particularly trying for Brian Turner and his family. In 2019, it was discovered that Brian was experiencing atrial fibrillation, a cardiac arrythmia characterized by irregular, rapid heartbeats, and underwent surgical implantation of a pacemaker. A defect with the device’s electrical leads necessitated a revision procedure to allow for correct functionality. Shortly after, in 2020, hip pain was determined to be caused by severe arthritic degeneration and he underwent a total hip replacement. Recovery from the surgery was slow, with some early signs of cognitive changes taking place that are only evident in retrospect. Later that year, Brian and his wife Pat moved from their home in Florida to New York to be closer to family. Within that time period, it grew increasingly apparent that something else was going on with Brian’s cognitive and neurological functioning. He began to have difficulty articulating certain words and slurring his speech. He would occasionally choke when swallowing liquids and his balance became increasingly unsteady, resulting in falls. With the benefit of hindsight, there were likely mild signs of the disease present years prior to diagnosis, signs that anyone would write-off as moments of clumsiness or normal features of aging. His symptoms and additional medical workup were consistent with a rare neurodegenerative disease known as Multiple System Atrophy – Cerebellar subtype. Essentially, this disease is caused by degeneration of specific regions of the brain responsible for control of balance, motor movements, among other things. The unfortunate nature of this uncommon disease is that of a rapid progression. The time from 2020 to 2024 saw progressive worsening of related symptoms and increasingly limited independence, with Brian requiring use a cane and then a walker, to bolster his faltering balance. He experienced many falls in that time, with several requiring a trip to the hospital and resulting in multiple fractured ribs, cuts and scrapes, and countless bruises. Another curveball came in the form of a prostate cancer diagnosis made in 2023. He underwent radiation and hormone blocking treatment up until March 2024. The last month witnessed a sharp decline in Brian’s ability to care for himself as well as worsening of other features such as nighttime restlessness and agitation. He was evaluated for and entered into at-home hospice care on May 7 before spending about a week at the inpatient hospice facility. He was able to transfer home on May 20th. The speed of his physical and cognitive decline over the last few weeks came as a surprise to his family, friends, and medical providers. His wife Pat fulfilled her promise to him that he would be able to spend his final time at home, where he passed away in the early morning hours of June 4, 2024.
Brian has left an indelible mark on all of our lives. His kindness, humor, and compassion will be remembered by each person he came to know. We are reaching out to our community, friends, and family to ask for your support in giving Brian the memorial service he deserves. Our goal is to create a fitting tribute to their memory, a gathering where we can share stories, shed tears, and find solace in each other's company.
Together, let's create a heartfelt farewell for Brian, a celebration of a life well-lived and a soul deeply loved. Thank you for your kindness, support, and love during this difficult time.
We plan on having a celebration of life service on Saturday, June 22, 2024 from 1-4pm at the Greenwood Village Community Center in Manorville, NY.
Pat and Sean Turner
