Will Turner and Clovis “Troy” Anglin were as close as brothers.
They talked a lot about family and their food truck businesses. But, rarely did the conversation steer to the what ifs of life and the risks of having their families’ sole income tied up in a small business.
What if they were no longer able to run the business? What would it mean for their families?
Anglin, 40, owner of the popular One Love Jerk Grill, died in a motorcycle accident over the Memorial Day weekend. The food truck was the only source of income for Anglin and his wife, Mia, and their sons, Javon and Ryan, both of whom have birthdays this month.
So far, about $5,000 of a $15,000 goal has been raised through a YouCaring page to help the family and to bury Anglin in Jamaica.
However, Turner, owner of Blaxican, a food truck that serves Mexican soul food, said the original goal may not be enough. He thinks a more accurate figure is between $25,000 and $30,000. The family, he said, likely will have to move from their home into an apartment or smaller space.
“You just don’t think of all this stuff, man, in your day-to-day life,” Turner said. “When you’re self-employed, you’re trying to figure out which bills are the most important to pay. At the end of the day, most of it lies on your shoulders. We’re all struggling month-to-month and you don’t get time to take care of things like insurance and wills.”
In the wake of Anglin’s death, Turner said, “I’ve already set up a meeting with my insurance agent to look into life insurance.”
Not long ago, another food truck owner and friend died of cancer, Turner said, but he had time to get some affairs in order. Anglin’s death, though was unexpected.
“You’re here today and suddenly you’re gone tomorrow,” said Turner, a father of four. “This is a wake up call for us to think about what we should be doing for our loved ones, if we really love them.”
Anglin and his wife, Mia moved to Atlanta about nine years ago from New Jersey, where he worked as a chef. They opened the business in 2011.
Mia Anglin said she doesn’t know what she will do with the business. “I’m not making any hasty decisions,” she said. “I’m just taking some time to figure it out. His legacy is not gone.”
Anglin, who cooked by taste, didn’t write down any recipes, though his wife said she knows his technique.
Turner said a service for Anglin is planned June 11 in Atlanta and June 25 in Jamaica.
He said Anglin had just purchased the motorcycle six days earlier.
The YouCaring page can be reached at youcaring.com/mia-anglin-577681.
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