CARIBOU – Philip D. Thornton, 77, husband of loving wife, Bessie Thornton of 54 years, died March 10, 2006, at the Maine Veteran’s Home at Caribou. He was born Dec. 23, 1928, in Woodstock, N.B., Canada and raised by Rilla and John McNally in Presque Isle. Philip graduated from Presque Isle High School in 1946. Philip entered the U.S. Army shortly after graduation, where he served as a military policeman and then later completed his U.S. Army Ranger training in Panama. He received an honorable discharge and returned home to work for Maine Public Service. In the mid 50’s he joined the Maine State Police as a trooper for several years. Phil then transferred to the Maine Department of Human Services where he finished his career as a support enforcement officer. Philip became a mason and a member of the Blue Lodge and a shriner with Anah Temple. He was the chairman for the first Shrine Circus in Caribou and Presque Isle. Phil worked very hard to help establish the Aroostook Shrine Club. Phil was also a Maine master guide for many years. After his retirement, Phil enjoyed his time spent in the woods and on the waters of Maine. Above all, Phil enjoyed the time spent with family and friends. Surviving in addition to his wife, Bessie of Caribou are two daughters, Cynthia and her husband, Jeffrey Heron and Roberta and her husband, Murray Blackstone, all of Caribou; two sons, Robert and his wife, Pamela Thornton, of Rhode Island and John and his wife, Karyn Thornton, of Woodland. Philip will be lovingly remembered by nine grandchildren, Jeffrey Heron, Angela Heron, Dan and his wife, Sheri, Blackstone, Jenny and her husband, Matthew Coon, Bill Blackstone, Matthew Thornton, Emily Thornton, Megan Thornton and Philip John-Robert Thornton; and two great-grandchildren, Sheridan Blackstone and Brendan Blackstone. Friends and family may call 7-9 p.m. Monday, at the Mockler Funeral Home, 24 Reservoir St., Caribou. Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 14, from the chapel of the Mockler Funeral Home, with the Rev. Anna Beach, pastor, officiating. Spring interment will take place in the Fairmont Cemetery, Presque Isle. In lieu of flowers, friends who wish to contribute in memory of Philip may do so to the Maine Veterans’ Home for Veteran Activities, Attention Charlene Burgay, 163 Van Buren Rd., Caribou, ME 04736. Envelopes may also be obtained through the funeral home.
PHILIP D. THORNTON
