John S. (Jack) Thornton, 85, of 31 Bridge St., West Carthage died Monday evening, March 18, 2019 at Hospice of Jefferson County in Watertown.
Jack was born on April 15, 1933 in Geneva, NY, son of the late Carroll and Elizabeth (Schoonover) Thornton. He was a 1952 graduate of Geneva High School. He attended Alfred University for a year before enlisting in the Army. He served in the 66th Topographic Company in Stuttgart, Germany as a military policeman. He completed his education at the University of Buffalo where he graduated as a pharmacist. Jack apprenticed at the Fox Drug Co. in Carthage and later worked in Mexico and Parish. He married the former Lynn K. Metzger on August 25, 1962 at St. James Church with Rev. McCarthy officiating. In 1964 he was offered partnership in Fox Drug Co. and worked there for many years. In addition to Fox Drug, he worked at Carthage Area Hospital, Alexandria Bay Hospital and Rite-Aid Company in various positions.
Jack is a 53 year member of the BPOE Lodge # 1762, American Legion Post # 789, former member of Carlowden Country Club, the Ski Patrol at Snow Ridge and the Burnt Camp Club. Jack loved to hunt, fish and ski and was an avid Syracuse and Buffalo Bills fan. He also was a certified scuba diver and a private pilot.
He is survived by his wife: Lynn M. Thornton of West Carthage, one daughter and son-in-law: Cathy and Mark Lewandowski of Soft Maple and one son and his wife: Christopher and Brenda Thornton of Spencerport; his grandchildren; Carolyn, Alexander and Matthew, a twin brother, Richard P. Thornton of Lincoln,CA, nieces and nephews and his favorite dog, Swayze. He is preceded in death by his brother, Carroll Thornton.
A memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm on Saturday, March 23 at the Bezanilla-McGraw Funeral Home with Wayne Arnold and Paul Clarke officiating. Calling hours will precede the service from 1-3pm at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the 4 River Valley Historical Society, PO Box 504, Carthage, NY 13619 or to Hospice of Jefferson County, 1398 Gotham St., Watertown, NY 13601.
To leave an online condolence, go to www.bezanillafh.com.