Family launches online fundraiser in memory of Matthew Turcotte
NORTH SMTHFIELD – Family members of Army Spc. Matthew Turcotte and his wife, Megan, a former resident of Blackstone, have set up a GoFundMe page in Turcotte’s memory to help Megan continue her college education.
As of Wednesday evening, the fundraising effort had raised $10,680 dollars of a $15,000 goal, according to the GoFundMe website.
The fundraising request states that Spc. Matthew Turcotte of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division’s 2nd Brigade “was tragically taken from us on August 23, 2017 during a live ammunition training exercise while stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado.” Turcotte, a 20year-old native of North Smithfield, was reported to have been shot during the live fire exercise as it continued in the early morning hours of Wednesday, Aug. 23.
“Matt joined the Army while in High School and after he graduated in 2015 reported for Basic Training at Ft. Benning, GA,” the GoFundMe campaign noted. “Matt was soon recognized by his superiors to be an outstanding soldier. He was deployed to Kosovo and upon his return married his high
school sweetheart Megan (Fothergill),” it states.
Megan, 20, is currently pursuing a college degree, the campaign related.
Megan and Matt were married in January.
“Matt’s parents, family members and friends have created this Go Fund Me page in an effort to help Megan continue her studies in light of this horrific tragedy,” the fundraising campaign states.
“Your donations, which are greatly appreciated, are to help Megan continue her education and establish her career,” the donation request stated.
As of Tuesday 134 people had submitted donations to reach the $10,680 tally.
The training incident resulting in Turcotte’s death remains under investigation by the Army at Fort Carson near Colorado Springs.
The son of Raymond and Liza Turcotte, he was the co- captain of the North Smithfield High School football team before his graduation in 2015. He was remembered during a memorial service on the football field off Providence Pike Sunday evening attended by his family members and many friends. The crowd of about 300 released gold and green balloons, the Northmen colors, into the air in memory of Turcotte as the gathering ended. Gov. Gina Raimondo on Monday ordered Rhode Island and U.S. Flags in the state to be flown at half staff in honor of Turcotte’s service to his country. The tribute will continue until his funeral has been held, according to the Governor’s office.
The Fort Carson military community was also struck by the deaths of two other soldiers assigned there the week Turcotte was killed, according to Colorado media reports.
The two other soldiers died in incidents off the base on Tuesday, Aug. 22.
Sgt. Michael J. Martinez, 22, of the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team of the 4th Infantry Division died in a German hospital after being found unresponsive at the Grafenwoehr Training Area of Germany in the morning hours of Aug. 22, according to media reports. He had deployed to Europe with 3,500 members of the 4th Infantry Division to participate in joint training with NATO partners, according to the military.
Also on Aug. 22, Chief Warrant Officer Lamont Williams of the 4th Infantry Division, a 20-year-member of the Army and holder of a Purple Heart and three Bronze stars, was reported to have been killed when struck by a vehicle as he crossed a road in Stafford County, Virginia, where he was on leave. He had crossed the section of Route 1 to dispose of some trash and was struck while returning across the roadway, according to reports from Virginia.
Turcotte’s friends and relative are invited to a burial Mass at Peter and Paul Church in Providence on Saturday at 10 a.m. A visitation is scheduled from 4-7 p.m. on Friday at TuckerQuinn Funeral Home in Greenville.