Turcotte Family Holds Dinner In Honor Of Son

It was a time to remember a departed loved one while also lifting the spirits of others in the community.

On Thanksgiving, the William Turcotte Thanksgiving Dinner was held at the Beauchamp Building in Wolf Point. William died suddenly on Nov. 20, 2020, at the age of 20.

“He always wanted to do something for Thanksgiving like a meal,” father Buck Turcotte said. Mother Angie Turcotte added, “We always said next year.”

In William’s memory, full Thanksgiving meals were handed out on Thursday, Nov. 25, with the turkey and all the fixings served in styrofoam containers to be taken home because of COVID concerns.

“He had such a golden heart. He loved people and was aware on how lucky he was,” Buck said of his son.

By the end of Thanskgiving afternoon, 281 meals were served. That figure included providing meals at the juvenile center and tribal jail.

The Turcottes raised the funds through a fundraiser drawing for two Playstation 5s in October.

“A little came out of our pockets, but most of it was raised through the raffle,” Buck explained. A couple of businesses offered to chip in, but the funds weren’t needed this year.

Family members prepared and sorted the meals. They enjoyed their family Thanksgiving meal after serving the food out to others.

“They were amazing,” Buck said of the people who received the free meals. “They were absolutely happy.”

Asked if they felt that William would be happy with the special dinner, Angie said, “He would be. He would loved it.”

William spent many nights volunteering his time at the Beauchamp Building. He would help by cleaning or anywhere else he was needed.

The plan is for the William Turcotte Thanksgiving Dinner to become an annual event.

“We want to do it for four years for sure,” Angie said.

Buck added, “We want to carry it on. We hope to learn from his generosity and love for people.”