MILFORD – Thomas E. Thornton Jr., 61, died peacefully Oct. 8, 2011, with courage and dignity, at his home. He was surrounded with the love of his family. He was born Nov. 2, 1949, the beloved first son of Thomas Sr. and Gloria (Michaud) Thornton.
He graduated as class president from Old Town High School in 1968. While there he met and eventually married his high school sweetheart, Brenda Yerxa. They shared 40 wonderful years of marriage and friendship. Tom’s love of community led him down many paths. He was a past president and Paul Harris recipient of Old Town Rotary Club. He served on the Small Business Administration, Katahdin Area Council of Boy Scouts and Maine Rural Development Authority. He was a trustee of Husson University and on the board of directors of Machias Savings Bank. Tom was a true entrepreneur. His start in business was at Thorntons’ Amoco and Interstate Batteries, where he formed many lasting friendships. His proudest accomplishment was being president of Freightliner of Maine and working with his children to form a family business. He measured his success by the many dedicated employees, who became his “Freightliner family.” Many of his business ventures were shared with his loyal partners and friends, Jack, Joe, Bernie and Charlie. Tom had a great love of nature. He felt most at home spending time “upta camp.” He had the privilege of operating Nugent’s Camps on the Allagash Waterway for three years with family and partners, Stella and Rob. Many happy hours were spent out in his workshop “puttering” on his latest project. He was a wonderful husband and a great father to his three children. He will always be remembered for his sense of patriotism, his love of community and his quick wit. His stories and jokes will be missed at many gatherings of family and friends.
In addition to his mother, Gloria and wife, Brenda, he is survived by three children and their spouses, Nicole Madden and her husband, Derek, Toby Thornton and his wife, Melanie, and Lee Thornton and his wife, Julie. He was a proud “Papa” to Justin, Chase and soon-to-be-born, Ford Thomas. He is also survived by three brothers, Peter and his wife, Chris, Michael and his wife, Ann, and David and his wife, Kim. He was “Uncle Tommy” to Whitney and Shane, Kate and David, Michele and Doug, Rachel and Eric, Daniel and Ashley, Josh and Kelsey, Richard and Gloria, Meghan, Brittany and Jeff, and Raekel and Freddie. His nieces and nephews gave him many great-nieces and great-nephews whom he loved dearly. He was predeceased by his father, Thomas E. Thornton Sr.; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Dorothy and Maynard Yerxa; and brother-in-law, Stanley Yerxa. He was a great son, brother, husband, father, papa, uncle, cousin and a friend to all.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, at Holy Family Church, 429 Main St., Old Town. All are invited to a light luncheon after the service at Knights of Columbus Hall, 5 Gilman Falls Ave., Old Town. The burial will be private at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any charitable donations in Thomas’ honor be made to Maine Youth Fish and Game Association, care of William Osborne, treasurer, 1242 Essex St., Bangor, ME 04401. Notes of Condolences may be made at
www.birminghamfuneralhome.com.