After graduating college with a degree in agriculture, Russell Turner began his career in the Peace Corps and later worked for an international aid organization, CARE. Followinga stint owning a cacao farm in central America, he returned to the US unsure of where he wanted to settle next. His brother lived in Portland at the time, so Russell moved to Peak’s Island, which began a lifelong love of Maine. Over the years, he built a diverse entrepreneurial career, starting and running several businesses, including the well-known Portland nightclub Raoul’s Roadside Attraction.

Russell Turner and Sophia Gabriel

Russell and his wife, Sophia Gabriel, eventually found their way to Harpswell in an unexpected way. For fun, the two would browse real estate listings in the Sunday paper. When they spotted their future home on Great Island, they bought it—despite never having been to Harpswell before and without looking at any other properties there!

An avid outdoorsman, Russell has always found joy in hiking, camping, kayaking, and biking.

As a way to give back to the places that make those experiences possible, he supports land trusts wherever he lives and travels. Now a Harpswell resident of forty years, Russell is proud to support the Harpswell Heritage Land Trust through annual membership donations and by including HHLT as a beneficiary in his will. This commitment reflects his belief in protecting public access to the outdoors, ensuring these special places can be enjoyed both now and by generations to come.

Thank you to Russell and all our Heritage Society members who have made us part of their legacy by including HHLT in their planned giving. For more information about planned giving opportunities, check out Planned Giving on our website or contact Lauren Dumont, our Development & Communications Director, at lauren@hhltmaine.org or 207-721-1121.