I just called my mom, and a strange woman answered the mobile phone. She said that there has been an accident. She gave the phone to my mom.
Turk has had a bad heart for a long time. They were going to the store, and he was having problems. Mom jumped out of the car to flag down help. Apparently Turk hit the accellerator and crashed. She said he was lying on the sidewalk with his eyes open. He’s dead. Mom said she’d call back later. I called my sister in San Diego to let her know.
I didn’t know Turk very well. He was a taciturn Finn, and my mom married him long after I moved away.
I’ve forwarded my landline to the mobile. I think I can get calls.
Thanks for your thoughts. Turkka’s brother Erikku is in the Phoenix area. I don’t know his phone number, but I’m sure he’s been contacted by now and will be there for my mom.
Mom just called. She said that Markku (whom I mis-named Erriku, whom I belive died a couple of years ago) met her at the hospital. She basically gave me the same story as in the OP. She added that the car took out a couple of trees and a wall, and that it’s fortunate that she had gotten out of the car to flag down help.
Turk said that he “had a problem”. Mom thought at first that he meant a problem with the car. Then his head sagged backward and he was having trouble breathing. After she got out of the car and he hit the accellerator, she had to chase the car down. Bystanders had already reached it, and one woman administered CPR. The police arrived, and then the paramedics. He was pronounced at the hospital around 11:00 AM. Mom says she thinks he was gone when his foot hit the accellerator.
The car is totalled. Mom has to call the insurance companies and make funeral arrangements. She called my sister, and they will drive out when arrangements are made. I’ll have to fly down. Mom says she’s in shock, and has to make several phone calls before she collapses.
Turk was a nice guy. He didn’t talk much. Might have been his upbringing. His father died in Florida about ten years ago, and his ashes were returned to Finland. I don’t know what happened with Erikku, nor what mom has planned for Turkka. My mom and he met when my mother was working at an airport. My dad helped him out with his pilot’s license. Turn had to give up flying when he needed a valve replacement in his heart. I don’t think my mom had exercised her license since the 1970s.
Mom and Turk made an interesting couple. My mom is about 5’1", and Turk was probably around 6’6" or 6’7". Mom made a “traditional Finnish dinner” for Christmas. I don’t remember what was included, but there was some sort of stuffed pork.
Sorry for you and your mother’s loss (and Turk’s family as well), Johnny. I hope your mother has the strength to get through this and glad she has children to support her.
Dreading the day when I get a similar call about my stepfather who’s in ill health.
My condolences to all of you.