BELMONT––Mayor Richard Turner of Belmont died Wednesday at the age of 62.

According to his widow, Marie Turner, her husband recently had surgeries related to gall bladder stones and severe and chronic pancreatitis, with subsequent complications. This week, he had a massive stroke, followed by more surgeries in an attempt to save his life but to no avail.

“Our family’s hearts are completely broken,” Mrs. Turner wrote on her husband’s Facebook page. “Richard and I met in college and have been married 33 years and have three children he adored. He will forever be in our hearts and minds, and he is also my best friend in the entire world.”

Like his predecessor in the Belmont mayor’s office, Charlie Martin, Mr. Turner was a dedicated Republican. Among those paying tribute to him was Gaston County Sheriff Chad Hawkins.

“Please join me,” said Hawkins, “in expressing my deepest condolences and prayers to the family, friends and community of Belmont during the passing of Mayor Richard Turner. Richard was not only a dedicated public servant but also a friend. During my time as the chief of police in Belmont, I had the privilege of working closely with Richard when he was a city councilman. His passion for our community and unwavering commitment to serving the people of Belmont were evident in everything he did.

“Richard’s leadership and genuine care for others left a lasting impact on all who knew him,” the sheriff added. “He will be greatly missed, and our thoughts are with his loved ones during this difficult time.”

Mrs. Turner spoke further about her late husband.

“Richard was a man of strong faith, was a loving husband and father and a friend to all,” she said. “He will be remembered as a father who never gave up on his children and never let them go without; a husband that loved his wife more than life and a love for his family like no other. He was a best friend to everyone in the family. He gave the most level-headed advice, had extreme patience and was of the highest moral character. He was a gentle giant whose empathy saw no limits.

“Richard had a tremendous sense of humor and was an animal-lover,” she continued. “As mayor, he absolutely loved Belmont with all his heart, with the strongest passion to help and serve our city. Even as he was in the hospital, he was still answering citizens’ texts, e-mails, voice mail and watched the online council meetings, even though he was in tremendous pain. Our family will be forever grateful for all the cards, flowers, plants, balloons, gift baskets and uplifting prayers and messages sent by so many during Richard’s recent illness. Our family would also like to thank the wonderful citizens of Belmont for trusting Richard for his 12 years in city government as mayor, mayor pro-tem and council, in addition to many other years on other boards and committees. We know he will continue to watch over Belmont from Heaven. He will be forever missed by his entire family and all of his friends. There will never be another like him. Please keep our family in your ongoing prayers, as we truly need them for peace and healing right now. God bless you all.”

The mayor was born in Mecklenburg County on June 26, 1962, the son of the late Michael and Nicole Turner. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Nadia Turner.

In addition to his widow, he is survived by his three children, Anna Nicole Murphy and husband Tyler, Vincent Matthew Turner and Matthew Andrew Turner; his brother, Michael R. Turner and wife Janet; his mother-in-law, Margaret Elizabeth Fox; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends at Queen of the Apostles Catholic Church in Belmont, Aug. 4, 4-6 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the church in the new sanctuary in the back, Aug. 5 at 11 a.m., Fr. Paul Buchanan officiating. Interment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery in Belmont.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the State Employees Credit Union Family House at www.familyhousews.org. McLean Funeral Directors of Belmont is serving the Turner family. Condolence messages may be made via the Website at www.mcleanfuneral.com.