2008 - 2009 Directory

Governor-Nominee, District 5580 2008-2009

Roland (Roly) Turner is a lifelong resident of Thunder Bay, Ontario.  He has been active since 1965 in the building construction industry. From 1979 to 2000 he was an owner and president of two plumbing and heating firms.  He served in various capacities with the Mechanical Contractors Associations of Thunder Bay, Ontario and Canada particularly in Joint Management - Labour issues and in liaisons and partnerships with a number of government and civic agencies.  Following his business career Roly moved to the public sector, employed with Lakehead Public Schools as Property Services Master Plumber.  He recently received a Trustees Recognition Award for his service to Rotary.  He plans to retire in May 2010. Roly has also been active on a number of community boards in Thunder Bay including a charitable foundation awarding post secondary scholarships and humanitarian grants and a not for profit agency providing services for youth in conflict with the law.  His other interests include downhill skiing, boating, travel, yard-work and dog walking.

As a member and Past President of the Thunder Bay (Port Arthur) club since 1982 he has served in all four Avenues of Service.  He was Rotarian of the Year (1993/94) and is a multiple and sustaining Paul Harris Fellow.  Roly has  been active in District 5580 affairs for many years serving as District member to the Canadian Rotary Collaboration for International Service, District Grants Subcommittee Chair, Assistant Governor and member of the Executive Finance Committee.  He was District Rotarian of the Year for International Service (2003/04) and received The Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service and the District Service Award in 2006.

Judith (Judi) was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario.  She moved to Thunder Bay to pursue a career as a Registered Nurse.  After retiring she joined Port Arthur Rotary in 2003.  She has been active in several areas, currently as club secretary.  Her other interests include travel, photography, reading, writing and mastering the computer.

Roland and Judi were drawn to the Amazon rainforest in 1993 to volunteer in the construction of “La Clinica Yanamono”.  Since that time they have worked as a “team” to help identify, plan and complete a number of Humanitarian projects in Peru and Guatemala and have travelled to work on those sites on at least nine occasions.

This year Roly & Judi celebrate their 40^th wedding anniversary.  They are very proud of their two daughters and sons-in-law who live close by and have blessed them with 3 handsome grandsons aged 7 to 10.