Obituary of Jiri Turinsky

In Loving Memory of Jiri Turinsky

Jiri Turinsky, age 88, of Delmar, NY, passed away surrounded by his family on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at Albany Medical Center. He was born on April 9, 1935, in Prague, Czechoslovakia, to Josef and Bozena (Balsankova) Turinsky.

Jiri's journey through life was marked by exceptional accomplishments and a deep commitment to his family, education, and the medical field. He earned his Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Charles University in Prague in 1959 and 1962, respectively. Following his required service in the Czech military as a physician, he embarked on a remarkable career in academia and research.

Jiri served as an instructor and research associate in physiology at Charles University Medical School in Prague from 1959 to 1966. Jiri furthered his education with a postdoctoral research fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School in Philadelphia from 1966 to 1968. In 1969, after the invasion of Czechoslovakia by the Soviets, Jiri, along with his wife and sons, made the difficult decision to escape and return to the United States. They settled in Delmar, where Jiri continued his academic pursuits and dedicated over four decades to teaching physiology and cell biology at Albany Medical College. Jiri left an indelible mark on countless medical students and graduate students at Albany Med, and made numerous contributions to the fields of endocrinology and physiology.

A man of diverse interests, Jiri found joy in gardening, and enjoyed caring for his beloved rose bushes. He and his wife, Andrea, shared a passion for travel, exploring National Parks in the US and Canada, making frequent trips back to the Czech Republic to spend time with family, and visiting cultural and historical sites throughout Europe.

His legacy endures in the Jiri Turinsky Outstanding Research Mentor Award at Albany Medical College, a testament to his dedication to mentoring and guiding aspiring researchers.

Jiri is survived by his loving wife of nearly 60 years, Andrea; devoted children George (Beth) of Rochester, NY, and Andrew (Jomol) of Delmar, NY; cherished grandchildren Anna, Sarah, Andrew, Matthew, and Jonathan; and siblings Karel Turinsky and Hela Angerova.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30am, Saturday, February 10, 2024, at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 35 Adams Place Delmar.  The family will receive visitors prior to the mass from 9:00 to 10:00am at Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Ave. Delmar.  The internment will follow at Bethlehem Cemetery.

The Turinsky family expresses gratitude to all those who have shared in Jiri's life and invites friends and colleagues to join them in honoring his memory.