Jack R. Thornton

Thornton, Jack R., 78, co-founder of the Mai-Kai restaurant passed away February 22, 2008. He lived his full adult life in Ft. Lauderdale. FL. Jack was born May 2, 1929, the son of Helen "Betty" Schraeder Thornton and Fulton Thornton of Wilmette, Illinois and grandson to Frank Schraeder, owner of the Monarch Beer Brewery in Chicago. Jack grew up in Wilmette, with his younger brother, Robert F. Thornton. Jack graduated from New Trier High School before attending Stanford University during which time his education was interrupted by military service. Jack served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955, and was stationed in Stuttgart, Germany where he taught English. After returning from military service, Jack along with his brother Bob set out to realize their boyhood dream of owning and operating a Polynesian style restaurant. In December of 1956, they did just that. With Jack's creative genius, Bob's exceptional organizational talents and the assistance and financial support of their mother the Mai-Kai Restaurant was born. It became an immediate success and went on to win the coveted Holiday Award for restaurants for a number of years and distinguished itself for its quality and many innovations in the restaurant industry. In 1959 Jack married Diane Daniggelis of Chicago, IL. and they had two children, daughter, Tammy and son, Ty. In 1969, in an unfortunate twist of fate, Jack suffered a cerebral aneurism after which he was unable to continue working as before and was forced to sell his interest in the Mai-Kai to his brother. Nevertheless, Jack continued to live a rich life, enjoying his two children and traveling to Europe to dine at many of his favorite restaurants. Jack is survived by his former wife, Diane Thornton; his son, Ty Thornton; daughter, Tamara Arena, and son-in-law, John Arena. Visitation will be on Wednesday, February 27, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Baird-Case Jordan-Fannin Funeral Home, 4343 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308, Phone: (954) 492-4000. Memorial Services will be held on Thursday, February 28th at 10:30 a.m. at Unity Church of Fort Lauderdale, 1800 NE 6th Ct., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304, Phone: (954) 463-4359. Private family interment service will be at Queen of Heaven Cemetery.