Obituary: John J. Thornton Jr.

Information obtained from Connor Healy Funeral Home:

John J. "Jack" Thornton Jr., 64, of Bedford, died June 16, 2013, at Elliot Hospital, after a period of declining health.

Born in Manchester on Sept. 7, 1948, he was the son of John J. and Mary (Gildea) Thornton. He resided in Manchester all his life before moving to Bedford several years ago.

Mr. Thornton attended Perkins School for the Blind, Watertown, Mass. He graduated with honors from Manchester Memorial High School, class of 1968. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology, cum laude, from Saint Anselm College in 1975, where he was a member of the King Edward Society.

In his early years, he was a high school football commentator with WGIR as well as an assistant sports information director at Saint Anselm College.

He was past honorary chairman of the American Legion World Series.

Jack will be remembered for his kind and gentleman-like ways. He was an amazing man who enjoyed life to its fullest.

Family members include his brother, Kevin M. Thornton and his wife Janet, of Hooksett; his sister, Deborah M. Walsh of Manchester; the love of his life, Barbara Maille of Nashua; an aunt, Anne Abbott of Hampton; an uncle, Richard Hayes of Manchester; and several cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, and brother-in-law, Daniel Walsh.

The funeral as held Thursday, followed by a Mass of Christian burial to be celebrated at 10 a.m. in Saint Catherine of Siena Church, Webster Street, Manchester. Burial will take place in Saint Joseph Cemetery, Manchester.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to New Hampshire Food Bank at www.nhfoodbank.org.

For more information or to view the online guest registry, visit www.connorhealy.com.