Walter H. Turnbull, 58, law firm manager

Mr. Turnbull was born in Cambridge, and while growing up also lived in Acton, Mount Kisco, N.Y., and Nova Scotia. In 1969, he graduated from the Loomis School - now the Loomis Chaffee School - in Windsor, Conn. He graduated from Tufts University in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in English, and from Columbia University in 1975 with a master of fine arts degree in creative writing.

When he finished graduate school, Mr. Turnbull worked at a yacht club in Oyster Bay, N.Y., and eventually became a manager. He worked at the yacht club for five years until he married Pamela Baker in 1980. The couple moved to Ipswich, where Mr. Turnbull lived for the rest of his life.

In 1980, Mr. Turnbull became a legal administrator at Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP in Boston, when the firm had 24 attorneys. He worked as the director of administration, also referred to as the executive director, as the firm grew to more than 400 attorneys in 2002. He oversaw the firm’s dissolution in 2005, and was its last remaining employee when he suffered a stroke on May 31.

“He was high performance, low maintenance, and fun to work with because he was one of those people who did the hard stuff and did it quietly and effectively,’’ said Mark Smith of Cambridge, who knew Mr. Turnbull for 24 years. “He was primarily responsible for carrying the firm through the dissolution process and winding it down afterward.’’

Family and friends remember Mr. Turnbull as a hard worker.

“Integrity is probably the word that comes to mind,’’ said Joe Palermo of New York City, who worked with Mr. Turnbull for 14 years at Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault. “The undercurrent there with Walter was that you could tell he really cared about you. He cared about the performance of the people that reported to him.’’

Mr. Turnbull’s former co-workers said he often worked 12-hour days, six days a week.

“He was a very effective manager,’’ said John Welsh of Weston, who knew Mr. Turnbull for 18 years. “He was extremely modest . . . extremely good at what he did.’’

Mr. Turnbull was a member of the Association of Legal Administrators and served as president of the Boston chapter of the association from 1988 until 1989.

Mr. Turnbull taught English through the Department of Continuing Education at North Shore Community College during the 1970s. Although he did not make writing his career, Mr. Turnbull wrote plays. Relatives said that one of his plays, “Only Connect,’’ was produced off Broadway in the late 1970s.

Throughout his life, the father of three kept in touch with and enjoyed spending time with family members. He anticipated his annual visits to Nova Scotia and sailing trips with longtime friends.

“He was just really a family man,’’ his wife said. “He was one of the most honest and reliable people.’’

Relatives said they will remember Mr. Turnbull for his vigor and productivity.

“He really enjoyed just having a home and a family, and taking care of it well,’’ said one of his daughters, Alison, of Baltimore. “He put all of his time that wasn’t at his work to his family.’’

Relatives said Mr. Turnbull enjoyed “the little things in life,’’ including bad-tempered mutts, white button-down shirts, Scotch, soft-serve ice cream that cost less than a dollar, hot outdoor showers, frozen vegetables, grilled steaks, and a nicely mowed lawn. He also appreciated organization.

Mr. Turnbull’s daughter said he drove “beat-up’’ cars his whole life and never owned a boat because he put his resources into his family.

“He could be very funny, he could be very laid back, but he knew how to take himself not too seriously,’’ his daughter said. “He was happy to play the clown in the group . . . but he was a serious man, too.’’

Relatives said they will remember Mr. Turnbull’s keen sense of duty and responsibility.

“When he said he would do something, you always knew he would do it well and on time,’’ his daughter said. “He always dealt fairly, didn’t bend the rules, and made good on his word.’’

In addition to his wife of 29 years and his daughter, Mr. Turnbull leaves a son, Jack of Brooklyn, N.Y.; another daughter, Stephanie of Ipswich; his mother, Faith (Cann) of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia; and a sister, Elizabeth Gartland of Granville Ferry, Nova Scotia.

No services are planned.