Skilled craftsman, longtime UPS driver, community volunteer
Tom Thornton. (Courtesy photo)
Thomas (“Tom”) Archie Thornton died peacefully on April 18, 2024, following an extended struggle with heart disease. He was 80 years old.
Tom was born in American Falls, Idaho, Aug. 16, 1943, son of Luray and Jessie Thornton, brother to Don, Grant, and Ken, and sister Karen. After high school, Tom joined the Army, serving as a military policeman, taking him from Idaho to Massachusetts. Tom later worked as a driver for Dell Dale Farm in Littleton, delivering glass bottles of milk to his customers, and then had a career with United Parcel Service. He dedicated 30 years of service to UPS, where he began his career as a cherished delivery driver. His work was characterized by his seemingly boundless work ethic and the lasting relationships with those he met and his fellow drivers, a group that still meets monthly for breakfast.
A self-taught and skilled woodworker and carpenter, Tom found joy and solace at his camp on Lake Wyman in Westminster, which he lovingly renovated with his family. Tom enjoyed planning events that gathered friends, family, and co-workers. He organized the building of picnic tables, Cub Scout carpentry days, many deep-sea ocean fishing trips (often with his fellow UPS co-workers), the East Street Athletic Running Club with close friend Wayne, and trips to the Patriots games and casinos with his family and friends, to name a few. Tom also prided himself on telling bad “Dad” jokes. While delivering for UPS, he often told the same joke all day to the multitudes of people he would meet while delivering packages.
Tom’s life was marked by service to others, including the Downeast Maine Mission trip through the Congregational Church of Harvard, the Ayer park playground community build-out, teaching Scouts carpentry to earn badges, and splitting firewood for his children and friends, among many other endeavors. He was an incredibly kind and generous man to so many for so many years.
A devoted husband to his beloved wife, Gail (Cullinane), for 57 incredible years, he was also a loving father to Christine and her husband Brian Bartram; son Michael and his wife Lynn (King); and he was a doting grandfather to Matthew, Michael, Lindsey, and Malcolm Thornton, and Erin and Nora Bartram. Tom is also survived by his youngest brother, Kendall Thornton, and his wife Joey. He leaves behind his loving dog, George, who will miss him so. He was affectionately known as “Bupa,” a generational grandparent name, which he adopted and so revered.
Tom leaves behind a legacy of love, craftsmanship, and enduring friendships. His life will be celebrated on Friday, June 21, at 6 p.m. at the Congregational Church of Harvard. There will be a service followed by food and refreshments honoring Tom. If you would like to honor his legacy, go out and perform a random act of kindness for a stranger and remember Tom while doing so. He would be so honored.
The spirit and joy he brought to our lives will forever resonate in our hearts.
