Obituary for Ronald David "Ron" Thornton
Lincoln- Ronald “Ron” David Thornton On February 2, 2023, Ron peacefully piloted his final flight to Heaven in his 1946 Aeronca champ. He was born December 14,1931 in Brookton, Maine, the son of Hawley Otto Thornton and Doris Odella (Wheaton) Thornton. Ron attended schools in Brookton and Lee, Maine.
Ron was an expert marksman. He served in the U.S. Army and was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant, earning his Combat Infantry Badge during the Korean War. Upon returning home he worked as a Maine Guide, guiding for Wheaton’s Sporting Camps. In 1972 he, along with his brother Paul, established Thornton Brothers, Inc where he became a highly successful businessman and car salesman. He worked tirelessly for 24 years before retiring from the family business in 1996.
Ron had a passion for flying, earning his pilot’s license in the 1960’s. He bought his first float/ski and wheel airplane known as the “Pink Panther” with his brother Paul. He piloted hundreds of business flights to auto auctions and the Chrysler dealerships in Worcester MA, and family fishing trips to Snake Pond. He built two airplanes with his good friend Andy Stinson, one being his pride and joy, a 1946 Aeronca Champ float plane. Ron was an avid sportsman who loved to hunt, fish, and camp, especially at Baskahegan and Rainbow lakes.
Ron was a quiet, kind man who loved helping people. He was a Master Mason for 55 years, helping provide bikes to elementary students, and was a life member of the Northern Penobscot Shrine Club, helping to raise money for Shriners Hospitals to provide orthopedic and burn care to children. He was a member of the Lincoln Congregational Church Men’s Club, where he worked each year on the River Drivers’ Supper and was a member of The Lincoln Lions Club, providing medical equipment for area residents. Ron was a founding member of the Lincoln Airport Association, helping to secure funding to build and maintain the airport.
Ron and Sylvia enjoyed wintering in Florida and Aruba where they spent countless hours of quality time at the beach and with friends.
Ron was predeceased by his wife of nearly 50 years, Sylvia (Vassar) Thornton; parents Hawley and Doris (Wheaton) Thornton; brother Philip Thornton; cousin Linwood Bubar, dear friends Pop and Diana Downs, Herman Peabody and Andy Stinson; and canine companion Sophie. He is survived by his son Hawley “Tim” Thornton and daughter-in-law Ann; daughter Laurie Ramsay and son-in-law Kirk; brother Paul Thornton and sister-in-law Joyce; sister-in law Gayle Thornton; granddaughters Rebecca Levesque and husband, Matt; Lindsay Dolloff and husband Jon; Jade Ramsay; Nia Abbott and fiancé Justin Harvey; great-grandchildren Everett Levesque, Nolan and Sylvia Dolloff, Elia Ramsay-Fox, Edyn and Avalyn Brawn, Wyatt and Paxton Albert; Charlotte and Alexis Abbott; cousin Earl Bubar; and canine companions Poppy “Ladybug” and Ranger.
A graveside service and celebration of life will be held in the Spring. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, Attn: Shriners Hospitals for Children, PO Box 947765, Atlanta, GA 30394. Arrangements are by Lamson Funeral Home, Clay Chapel, Lincoln. Messages of condolence may be expressed at Ron's Book of Memories at www.lamsonfh.com
Ron was an expert marksman. He served in the U.S. Army and was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant, earning his Combat Infantry Badge during the Korean War. Upon returning home he worked as a Maine Guide, guiding for Wheaton’s Sporting Camps. In 1972 he, along with his brother Paul, established Thornton Brothers, Inc where he became a highly successful businessman and car salesman. He worked tirelessly for 24 years before retiring from the family business in 1996.
Ron had a passion for flying, earning his pilot’s license in the 1960’s. He bought his first float/ski and wheel airplane known as the “Pink Panther” with his brother Paul. He piloted hundreds of business flights to auto auctions and the Chrysler dealerships in Worcester MA, and family fishing trips to Snake Pond. He built two airplanes with his good friend Andy Stinson, one being his pride and joy, a 1946 Aeronca Champ float plane. Ron was an avid sportsman who loved to hunt, fish, and camp, especially at Baskahegan and Rainbow lakes.
Ron was a quiet, kind man who loved helping people. He was a Master Mason for 55 years, helping provide bikes to elementary students, and was a life member of the Northern Penobscot Shrine Club, helping to raise money for Shriners Hospitals to provide orthopedic and burn care to children. He was a member of the Lincoln Congregational Church Men’s Club, where he worked each year on the River Drivers’ Supper and was a member of The Lincoln Lions Club, providing medical equipment for area residents. Ron was a founding member of the Lincoln Airport Association, helping to secure funding to build and maintain the airport.
Ron and Sylvia enjoyed wintering in Florida and Aruba where they spent countless hours of quality time at the beach and with friends.
Ron was predeceased by his wife of nearly 50 years, Sylvia (Vassar) Thornton; parents Hawley and Doris (Wheaton) Thornton; brother Philip Thornton; cousin Linwood Bubar, dear friends Pop and Diana Downs, Herman Peabody and Andy Stinson; and canine companion Sophie. He is survived by his son Hawley “Tim” Thornton and daughter-in-law Ann; daughter Laurie Ramsay and son-in-law Kirk; brother Paul Thornton and sister-in-law Joyce; sister-in law Gayle Thornton; granddaughters Rebecca Levesque and husband, Matt; Lindsay Dolloff and husband Jon; Jade Ramsay; Nia Abbott and fiancé Justin Harvey; great-grandchildren Everett Levesque, Nolan and Sylvia Dolloff, Elia Ramsay-Fox, Edyn and Avalyn Brawn, Wyatt and Paxton Albert; Charlotte and Alexis Abbott; cousin Earl Bubar; and canine companions Poppy “Ladybug” and Ranger.
A graveside service and celebration of life will be held in the Spring. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, Attn: Shriners Hospitals for Children, PO Box 947765, Atlanta, GA 30394. Arrangements are by Lamson Funeral Home, Clay Chapel, Lincoln. Messages of condolence may be expressed at Ron's Book of Memories at www.lamsonfh.com