Obituary of Edward F. Thornton

COLTON—Funeral services for 91 year old Edward F. Thornton, a resident of Partridge Knoll in Canton and formerly of South Colton and Hannawa Falls, will be held Monday at 3 p.m. at the Buck Funeral Home in Colton with Pastor Rob Schirmer presiding. A spring burial with military honors will be held in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Colton. Family and friends may call at the Buck Funeral Home in Colton on Monday from 12 noon until the time of the service at 3 p.m. Mr. Thornton passed away Friday at his home. Edward is survived by two sons, Thomas and Joan Thornton, Clarion, Iowa; Steven and Laurie Thornton, Colton; his daughter, Suzanne and Richard Burlingame, Galway, NY; five grandchildren; Sarah and Chris Fink, Scott and Michelle Burlingame, Julie and Rob Schmidt, Dean Thornton and Bali MacKentley, Shawn Thornton; his four great grandchildren; Ryan and Hayley Fink, Ella MacKentley-Thornton, Lea Burlingame and a daughter-in-law, Dawn Juckett, Queensbury and several nieces and nephews in the Boston area. Edward was pre-deceased by his parents, a step-son, David Juckett and was the last of ten children in his family. Born in South Boston, Massachusetts on June 5, 1923 to the late Thomas and Mary Malloy Thornton, Edward married Janet Speer on April 10, 1953. Janet passed away on September 7, 2013. Edward worked at the N.Y. Power Authority as a marble worker and mason for many years, retiring in 1983. He was a member of the IBEW in Massena, the Colton Amvets and the American Legion. Edward enjoyed traveling, tinkering around the house, camping and spending time with his family. Ed however, had a passion for his service to his country in the time he spent in the U.S. Navy during WWII on the USS Sigourney as a 20mm Rear Gunner. His service to his country was very important to him and he did not mind at all to sit down and show you his photo album or tell you a story or too about the military or his childhood. Ed epitomized his generation and was always kind, joyful and smiling. The family would like to thank the St. Lawrence Valley Hospice and Palliative Care Staff for the care shown to Ed and would like to give a special thank-you to Lucille D’Agostino and Terrie Walrath. Memorial Donations in Ed’s memory can be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of the St. Lawrence Valley, 6805 US Highway 11, Potsdam, NY 13676. Memories and condolences may be shared online with the family at www.buckfuneralhome.com . The Buck Funeral Home In Colton is serving the family of Edward F. Thornton.