Obituary of Ralph W. Thorne

The death of Ralph W. Thorne very loving and loved husband of 57 years to Norma (Rowley) Thorne occurred April 29, 2003 at the Saint John Regional Hospital. Born in Saint John he was the son of late William O. Thorne and Myrtle (Devine) Thorne. Mr. Thorne was a veteran of WW II, serving with the RCAF as Corporal, after the war he worked at NB Publishing Company for 40 years until his retirement. Ralph was a family man, who enjoyed having all his children and grandchildren at his summer home in Westfield on the St. John River. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed boating, skating, cross country skiing and traveling. He was a member of Branch # 69, RCL, the Air Force Club, St. George's Society and Lancaster Golden Seniors Club. Ralph was a former member of Centenary Queen Square United Church for 50 years and a present member of St. Mark's Church and the Men's Choir. He was a kind and gentle man who will be sadly missed. Besides his wife Norma he is survived by three sons, Kevin (Charlotte), Westfield Beach, NB, Malcolm, Alymer, Quebec, Douglas (Cathy) Saint John, NB, two daughters Valerie Auvinen (Peter) Woodman's Point, NB and Shari Brodie (Joel) Ottawa, Ontario, three brothers Osborne Thorne, Quispamsis, NB, Gerald Thorne, Titusville, NB, Donald Thorne (Mary), Bloomfield, NB, one sister Gertrude Allan, Dartmouth, NS, 14 grandchildren, Erik, Tiffany, Brittany, Lindsay, Natalie, Jamie, Alexander, Scott, Steven, Laura and Mallorie and mother Mary Courneyea of Ashley, Angela and MacKenzie, several nieces and nephews. Resting at Brenan's Select Community Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, NB (634-7424) with visiting on Thursday and Friday, 2-4, 7-9 PM. Funeral to take place at St. Mark's United Church, Saturday May 3, 2003 at 11:00 AM, with interment to follow in Mount Hope Cemetery, Westfield. Remembrances to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or donors choice would be appreciated by the family.