John was born in New York in 1941, and traces his Scottish ancestry from a William Turnbull who came from Scotland in the 1770 and settled in Philadelphia. His ancestors fought on the American side in the Revolutionary War, and on both sides of the Civil War. He has been a member of Turnbull Clan Association since July 11, 1978, soon after the Clan was formed. He is also a member of the St. Andrew’s Society of Baltimore and New York State, since 1965 and 1972, respectively. He is member of the Scottish Tartans Society, the Scottish Tartans Educational and Cultural Society. Other areas of interest have led him to become a member of the New York Caledonian Club and the North American Branch of the Celtic League. He is one of the few American members of the Scottish Historical Society. He has an A.B., and M.B.A., and post-graduate certificates. He plays the Highland Bagpipe, and has competed in Grade 5 Band competition, but recently has given up playing for the time being. He is married to Silvia Garcia Turnbull, who fled from Communist Cuba in 1961. He has a son by a previous marriage who is also a member of Turnbull Clan.
