Allston Kinsley "Al" Thorndike Jr.

Milford - Allston "Al" Kinsley Thorndike Jr., 97, of Milford, formerly a resident of Black Rock for 50 years, passed away Thursday, April 4, 2013, in Branford.

He was born on March 26, 1916, in Medford, Mass., the first son of Allston and Clara (Bayley) Thorndike. He spent his childhood in Ravenna, Ohio, and Camden, Maine, graduating from Camden High School in 1934. He studied engineering at the University of Maine, eventually receiving an associate in science degree from the University of Bridgeport.

He worked as a machinist at the Bullard Tool Co. His tenure began in 1941, but was interrupted by World War II. He served in the Army Air Corps as a radio instructor, attaining the rank of staff sergeant. He returned to Bullard's in 1945 and remained there until his retirement in 1981. On Nov. 20, 1948, he was joined in marriage to Phyllis H. Aust of Black Rock. They settled in the Devon section of Milford, moving to Black Rock in 1957. Together they raised four children. She predeceased him in August 2012.

He was a member of the Black Rock Congregational Church, where he ushered for many years, served on the church's missions committee and was active with the Young at Heart group. He also was a member of the Bridgeport Industrial Forum, and served as a Junior Achievement advisor. He was an old-school mechanic who could fix anything. He was unconventional, a gentle, friendly man who easily engaged in conversation with anyone he met. He loved dogs, classical music, and the outdoors.

He had a lifelong interest in sailing craft and a passion for midcoast Maine, where his family has deep roots. His dream was to build a boat and sail it to Maine, an ambition he never quite realized. In his retirement, however, he enjoyed many days sailing on Fishers Island Sound aboard a sloop he shared with his son in Mystic. For his 80th birthday he was given a cruise on Penobscot Bay aboard the schooner Stephen Taber. He loved trees and practiced conservation in all things. He was an avid walker and regularly walked to work. He avoided processed foods and didn't smoke or drink. He ate a carrot every day. Among his favorite sayings: "You have to take it easy going down the old Zambezi."

In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by four younger siblings, William, Harriet, Paul and Helen.

Survivors include three daughters and a son, Laura Barrett (Robert), Barbara Harmon (Joel), and Karen Hoang, all of Milford, Bill (Marthee), of Mystic; 10 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at noon Tuesday, April 9, 2013, at the First Presbyterian Church, 2475 Easton Tpke, Fairfield, with the Rev. James Marshall officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in Mountain Grove Cemetery, Bridgeport. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, in the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield.

Contributions in memory of Mr. Thorndike may be made to the Greater Bridgeport Symphony, 446 University Ave., Bridgeport, CT 06604 (www.gbs.org) or the Connecticut Humane Society, 701 Russell Road, Newington, CT 06111 (cthumane.org).

For information or to sign an online guest register please visit www.SpearMillerFuneralHome.com