Phillip G. Thornton: Member of Navy "Seabees" Construction Battalion

Mr. Phillip G. Thornton, age 79 of Paull Street, Bristol, died Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013, at his home, surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of Elizabeth A. (Josephs) Thornton, his wife of 35 years.

Born in Houston, TX, and a Bristol resident for many years, he was a son of the late William G. and Tiny Bell (Barnhill) Thornton. He served the US Navy "Seabees" Construction Battalion, where he trained at their Electricians School, during the Korean War. He was a graduate of Neville High School, Monroe, LA, in 1951 and following his Navy service, received degrees and diplomas from RI Electronics School, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, University of Rhode Island in Management, Northeastern University in Electronics Engineering, Johnson and Wales in Business Management and he received his Masters Degree from Roger Williams University.

He was an Engineer for the Raytheon Corporation in Portsmouth for 25 years, retiring in 1995.

Phillip was an avid sailor, loved spending time outdoors, but most of all loved family activities especially Disney vacations and spending time with his grandchildren, Colton, Hannah, Cade and Tyler.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by five children, Gail Pelletier, Deborah Girard, Pamela Thornton, Linda Gouveia and Philip Thornton; 10 grandchildren; a brother, Donald Dean Thornton, and a sister, JoAnne Bamberg.

Funeral services from the Sansone Funeral Home, 192 Wood St., Bristol, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013 at 9 am with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am in St. Mary's Church, 330 Wood Street, Bristol. Burial with Military Honors will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Chestnut Street, Bristol.

Visiting hours will be Monday, January 21, 2013 from 4 to 7 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association in RI, 260 West Exchange St., Suite 102 B, Providence, RI 02903 or online at www.lung.org

For online condolences, shared memories, information and directions go to www.sansonefuneralhome.com