Turk’s Seafood Loses Owner

She was the most familiar face at Turk's Seafood. Judy Pasquil, one of the owners of Turk's, was the smiling face that handed out those brown paper bags filled with seafood delights.

Now, her son Richard is reporting that she has passed away. Turk's tells Fun 107 that Judy was perfectly healthy in her final days, and passed away peacefully in her sleep Saturday night into Sunday morning. The 79-year-old was not battling an illness.

I have been a regular customer at Turk's Seafood for nearly 20 years. Every time I'd go into Turk's, Judy would always ask about my kids...how they were sleeping...and she'd always marvel at how big they were getting.

Mary Elizabeth Towers is an executive chef at the Sakonnet Golf Club and grew up on seafood from Turk's.

Watching Judy run the restaurant since I was a kid puts her right up there with all the great women chefs and restauranteurs I've admired my whole life. A true legend and inspiration to women everywhere.

Judy launched Turk's with her husband Richard Sr in 1989. The couple brought their son, Richard Jr., into the ownership fold before his death in 1992. Since then, Turk's popularity (and footprint) has boomed...including expanding with a sushi bar in 2002. Judy Pasquil played a big part in the growth of Turk's. She will be missed by the Tri-town community.

There will be a public service tomorrow, and a private function on Wednesday for immediate family and Turk's employees.