Obituary for Bruce Elliott Thornton
Springfield/East Millinocket/West Enfield – Bruce Elliott Thornton, 79, passed away Friday, November 25, 2022 at Dirigo Pines in Orono after a battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. He was born July 16, 1943 in Springfield, Maine, the son of Walter Thornton and Ethel (Moores) Thornton.
Bruce graduated from Lee Academy in 1961 and then went to Chicago, Illinois where he trained in Electronics Knowledge and Repair. He returned home, enlisted in the United States Navy where he was trained and sent to Charleston, South Carolina on board the USS Sellers in the Mediterranean Sea as an Electronics Technician. After two years he returned home and was assigned to various places for two weeks each year for a total of 21 years of service. Bruce worked for several years at Great Northern Paper Company in East Millinocket. Bruce was a 41 year member of American Legion Post 97 where he helped with bingo for many years and participated in many parades rendering honors to deceased veterans.
In Bruce’s earlier years he and Wilma enjoyed square dancing. He also enjoyed fishing and hunting, as well as buying and selling stocks in the Stock Market. He spent many days traveling to his granddaughter’s games throughout the state, rarely ever missing a game. He and Wilma were able to travel to many different destinations including Alaska, Hawaii and Scotland to name a few. Bruce and Wilma were members of the Howland Methodist Church for over 15 years and were very involved with the Food Pantry and Thrift Shop.
Bruce is survived by his wife of 54 years, Wilma (Severance) Thornton, 2 daughters, Renae Duffy and her husband Jason of East Millinocket, Rachelle Lemieux and her husband Craig of Parkman; three grandchildren, Jesse Duffy and fiancé Nicole Macomber of Bangor, Bailey Lemieux of Windham and Meagan Lemieux of Bangor; two great grandchildren, Landon Duffy and Kayla Duffy, as well as extended family. Bruce shared a lifelong friendship with David and Shirley Oliver of Millinocket.
Bruce was predeceased by his parents, as well as his sisters, Priscilla Tozier and Leona Brown and extended family.
Bruce’s family would like to thank the staff and caregivers at Dirigo Pines, as well as Beacon Hospice for their care, kindness, and concern in taking care of our loved one.
A funeral service with Military Honors will be held 1 PM Saturday, December 10 at Lamson Funeral Home, Clay Chapel, 7 Lee Road, Lincoln.. Gifts in memory of Bruce may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association of Maine, 383 US Route One #2C, Scarborough, ME 04074. Messages of condolence may be expressed at Bruce’s Book of Memories at www.lamsonfh.com.
Bruce graduated from Lee Academy in 1961 and then went to Chicago, Illinois where he trained in Electronics Knowledge and Repair. He returned home, enlisted in the United States Navy where he was trained and sent to Charleston, South Carolina on board the USS Sellers in the Mediterranean Sea as an Electronics Technician. After two years he returned home and was assigned to various places for two weeks each year for a total of 21 years of service. Bruce worked for several years at Great Northern Paper Company in East Millinocket. Bruce was a 41 year member of American Legion Post 97 where he helped with bingo for many years and participated in many parades rendering honors to deceased veterans.
In Bruce’s earlier years he and Wilma enjoyed square dancing. He also enjoyed fishing and hunting, as well as buying and selling stocks in the Stock Market. He spent many days traveling to his granddaughter’s games throughout the state, rarely ever missing a game. He and Wilma were able to travel to many different destinations including Alaska, Hawaii and Scotland to name a few. Bruce and Wilma were members of the Howland Methodist Church for over 15 years and were very involved with the Food Pantry and Thrift Shop.
Bruce is survived by his wife of 54 years, Wilma (Severance) Thornton, 2 daughters, Renae Duffy and her husband Jason of East Millinocket, Rachelle Lemieux and her husband Craig of Parkman; three grandchildren, Jesse Duffy and fiancé Nicole Macomber of Bangor, Bailey Lemieux of Windham and Meagan Lemieux of Bangor; two great grandchildren, Landon Duffy and Kayla Duffy, as well as extended family. Bruce shared a lifelong friendship with David and Shirley Oliver of Millinocket.
Bruce was predeceased by his parents, as well as his sisters, Priscilla Tozier and Leona Brown and extended family.
Bruce’s family would like to thank the staff and caregivers at Dirigo Pines, as well as Beacon Hospice for their care, kindness, and concern in taking care of our loved one.
A funeral service with Military Honors will be held 1 PM Saturday, December 10 at Lamson Funeral Home, Clay Chapel, 7 Lee Road, Lincoln.. Gifts in memory of Bruce may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association of Maine, 383 US Route One #2C, Scarborough, ME 04074. Messages of condolence may be expressed at Bruce’s Book of Memories at www.lamsonfh.com.