Peter Turvey talks shop at Canada Night NYC, c. 1995
Charles Peter Turvey, a well-known member of the Canadian toy industry for more than four decades, died suddenly on January 14, 2012 at the age of 68.
Perhaps best remembered as the always-charming president of Playmates Toys (Canada) Inc., Mr. Turvey first worked for several big name companies, including Tonka Toys, where he got his start as a sales rep in 1967. He moved on to join Ganz in the early 70s, serving as that firm’s sales manager for almost eight years before leaving to start his own plush manufacturing company, Fantasy Toys. Mr. Turvey also briefly owned Regal Toys, which he sold in 1981 to Playmates, a large California-based company looking to establish channels in Canada. He remained with the growing company, establishing and taking on the operation of the Canadian branch in Mississauga, Ontario.
Although Mr. Turvey and Playmates Canada had a huge and earlier success in 1985 when he launched Cricket — one of the industry’s first-ever talking dolls — his name will be linked forever to the famous Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles property, which he introduced to the Canadian scene in 1990. For much of that decade, Mr. Turvey marketed the line with such effectiveness that TMNT captured and stayed at the top of the boys action-figure market in this country for many years. As Playmates Canada’s president, Mr. Turvey also guided several other lines to best-seller status, including Amazing Amy, Little Waterbabies, and Tugger the Playful Pup.
Celebrating a birthday with colleagues at CTA summer conference, mid-90s
However, Mr. Turvey also found success outside his office walls. Always a staunch supporter of the Canadian Toy & Hobby Fair, Mr. Turvey was a familiar face on the Canadian Toy Association’s board of directors for many years — even serving a term as CTA chairman. In 1999, he received some much-deserved recognition for his hard work in furthering the reputation of Canada’s toy industry when he was inducted into the CTA Hall of Fame.
Mr. Turvey, who leaves behind a large and loving family, including wife Linda, three sons and several grandchildren, is resting at the Murray E. Newbigging Funeral Home in north Toronto. A service will take place at Blessed Sacrament Church (also in north Toronto) on Thursday, January 19 at 11 AM, followed by interment at Toronto’s Mount Pleasant Cemetery. (If desired, donations may be made in Mr. Turvey’s memory to Camp Oochigeas, a long-standing charity of the Canadian Toy Association.)
Along with his many friends and colleagues in Canada’s toy industry, Toys & Games Magazine extends sincere sympathy to Mr. Turvey’s family. He will be remembered and missed by all who knew him.
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