Marshall W. Turkin, 97, of Boca Raton, FL passed away on Thursday June 15, 2023, in Delray Beach, FL. Marshall was born in Chicago, IL to Beatrice (Gordon) and Morris Turkin on April 1, 1926. He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in music and composition from Northwestern University and post graduate training at the Julliard Institute and Columbia University. Marshall was proud to have served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Marshall was passionate about giving concerts with the Turkin Classic Jazz Ensemble at various venues in Boca Raton including the monthly Jazz Nights at Boca Raton Museum of Art, Levis Jewish Community Center and the Mizner Park Amphitheater. He conceived and hosted the classical chamber music series” Mostly Music” at Lynn University, taught at Florida Atlantic University and was a board member of the International Society for The Performing Arts and the League of American Orchestra, in which he served as Chair of the Major Orchestra division. He also was a music panelist for the National Endowment for the Arts.

Marshall was a life-long musician and music administrator. He was the General Manager of the Honolulu Symphony, Executive Director of both Chicago Symphony’s Ravinia Festival and Cleveland Orchestra’s Blossom Music Center. In addition, he was the Executive Director of the Detroit Symphony and Vice President and General Manager of the Pittsburgh Symphony. Marshall also founded and was President Emeritus of the Boca Raton Symphonia. Marshall was proud to have his own compositions performed by major symphonies as well.

His commitment to his field and admiration for parents with kids suffering from mental health challenges was inspiring.

It is with his commitment to his field and his own personal accomplishments that we are pleased to announce the creation of the Marshall Turkin Memorial Fund that was established with $5,000 to be held and used for any approved applicants who possess the same level of love and passion for the Arts as he. 

This private fund was established by our Trustee in memory of Marshall Turkin.  Mr. Turkin was a leader in his field and was a doner to PARC.