Developer, Philanthropist Albert Turner Remembered
By Raoul Dennis
It’s difficult to capture the impact of anyone blessed with over 100 years of life in a single day of memorial service Apr. 4.
Such is the case of Albert Turner, a developer, former mayor and philanthropist who was also a husband, father and grandfather who dedicated over 70 years of business leadership and service to Prince George’s County , Md.
“The hyphen line between someone’s birth date and their passing date is the story of their life and impact,” said Carrollton Enterprises’ Director of Public Relations & Marketing William Steen in his reflections remarks. “Mr. Turner’s hyphen line is an everlasting impact that will reach beyond his lifetime – and ours.”
The family celebrated the life and contributions of its elder saying that over recent months they “learned that his generosity went even beyond what they were aware of,” in Turner’s modesty regarding his support to people and community throughout the years.
Turner, left, with Ian Kelly (center) and Phil Down, President and CEO of Doctors Community Hospital System at a celebration in Turner’s honor. PHOTO: RAOUL DENNIS // PRINCE GEORGE’S SUITE MAGAZINE & MEDIA
Turner gave millions in support of community health and access to health. As a developer who believed in community wellness and quality of life, he was one of the first to create what is now known as livable communities by insisting that malls be built within specific distances to the residential communities he crafted.
There were some 100 in attendance at the United Baptist Church where Rev Keith Koch led the services for the man who was the first mayor of the city of New Carrollton, Md. (1954-1958). Ian Kelly and Glenn Turner, who have also been active in the business, were joined by many family, friends and current and former business and health industry affiliations were in attendance at the solemn occasion.
Born in 1916, Turner was 102 years old when he died Mar. 20 and over those years he became one of Maryland’s longest standing commercial developers, Carrollton Enterprises. Turner and his partners at MCD Enterprises built, owned and managed residential properties. Carrollton Enterprises developed nearly 10 commercial shopping centers (holding over 1,210,000 square feet of retail space). MCD built over 16,000 family homes and contributed thousands of dollars in support to community organizations. Turner’s philanthropy extended to Doctors Community Hospital System for several years. It was a relationship that eventually included the launch of DCHS’ mobile health center (Wellness On Wheels). Doctors Community Hospital System hosted a naming ceremony for the Albert W. Turner Family Surgical Services Pavilion in June 2017—complete with new surgical facilities to extend the hospital’s top tier levels of care.
Launching Wellness on Wheels at DCHS. PHOTO: RAOUL DENNIS PRINCE GEORGE’S SUITE MAGAZINE & MEDIA
“He was more than a builder of community,” said one family member of Albert Turner. “He was a builder of people.” Click here for more about Mr. Turner’s legacy and work.
