John will be remembered for his dry sense of humor, his quick smile, his keen interest in life, his practical jokes, his laugh and his story telling. He was a kind hearted man who was honest and forthright. He was a strong, courageous, determined man who fought hard to recover from the effects of two strokes. Through it all he never lost his sense of humor.

John was always inquisitive about science and the natural world. He loved animals, especially cats, who also loved him. He built full sized wooden boats and model airplanes as a hobby and enjoyed events at the Owls Head Transportation Museum and the WW&F railway museum in Alna. He played the harmonica. He loved bluegrass, picking up mandolin and banjo in his later years. He also tinkered with old John Deere tractors. He liked to watch the Fox news channel and talk politics.

John was born in Rockland Maine, the son of Ida Mae (Foster) and James Thornton. He grew up in Thomaston, graduating from Thomaston High School in 1945. Thirteen days later, he entered the army, training as a rifleman at Fort McClellan. He served in Italy with “H” company of the 350th infantry until he was honorably discharged in February of 1946. He enlisted in the Navy in 1950 and served in the Korean War in the Pacific Fleet on LSTs and LSMs until honorably discharged in 1954. He was a long time member of the American Legion.

For a time he was self employed hiring out to deliver with his dump truck. He worked at several area businesses before accepting employment at the Sylvania plant in Waldoboro where he worked for 35 years as a mechanic and a machinist. It was there he met his future wife, Una Paige Morse. They were married in Waldoboro in 1956. The couple first lived in Thomaston and then moved to Waldoboro where they raised their son and daughter.

Years after Una passed away, John reunited with former Thomaston High schoolmate Maxine Beckett whose husband had also passed. They hit it off immediately and spent many happy years together, going on adventures and enjoying each other’s company.

John attended the First Baptist Church in Waldoboro and the Lincoln County Assembly of God Church in Damariscotta. He liked listening to gospel and bluegrass music. His faith in Jesus gave him comfort at the end and he was ready to go to his heavenly home.

We miss you. We are thankful that we had you with us for so long and we look forward to the day when we will meet again.

John was predeceased by his wife Una and his older brother Richard Thornton. He is survived by his daughter Kathleen Thornton and her partner Brian Huntley of Union, with whom he lived for the last years of his life, his son Michael and his wife Catherine of Waldoboro, his sister Gwendolyn Alex and her husband George of Thomaston and his girlfriend Maxine Beckett of Camden, his grandchildren Mike Knof and Chrissy Greene, 6 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.

A graveside service will be held for John at the German Cemetery, Bremen Road, in Waldoboro, on Saturday, October 27, 2018 at 10:00 a.m., with Pastor Tom Rawley officiating.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in his name to the WW&F Railway Museum at wwfry.org.

Arrangements are entrusted to Hall’s of Waldoboro. Condolences may be shared at www.hallfuneralhomes.com