Samuel S. Thorpe Jr.

TOWNSEND -- Samuel S. Thorpe, Jr., 71, of Townsend, died Saturday, March 12, after valiantly battling cancer.

He was born in Stoneham on July 15, 1933, the son of Samuel S. and Ruth E. (Hazelton) Thorpe Sr., and lived in Townsend for over 45 years. He grew up in Reading and Wilmington, graduating from Wilmington High School in 1951. He attended classes at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Mr. Thorpe owned and operated the S. Thorpe Studio and Gallery in Townsend for the past 35 years.

In a career spanning more than 60 years, Mr. Thorpe won the respect and affection of countless of his peers and art enthusiasts in the United States and around the world. George W. Bush Sr. purchased one of his Maine landscapes and hung it proudly in his Kennebunkport, Maine home.

During the Korean Conflict, Mr. Thorpe served his country for four years in the U. S. Air Force. He was proud his son, Michael, and his granddaughter, Allison, chose to serve their country by enlisting in the military.

He believed in being involved in his town and served as a selectman from 1985 to 1988. He also served on the Planning Board and the Townsend Finance Committee. He was a member of several art associations, including Salamagundi Club in New York City and the Copley Society of Boston.

Excellence, integrity (his yes meant yes and no one doubted his no), high standards, talent, a love for art, gardening and flying, were all gifts he possessed, but his greatest gift, was love. Husbands love their wives. Fathers love their children. But his love came from deep within his heart and soul, making each person in his life feel special and blessed. He had a strong sense of humor, displayed even in the last moments of his life. He recognized that wealth came from within and taught his family to respect values above all else.

Mr. Thorpe is survived by his wife of 52 years, Louise H (Gove) Thorpe; three sons, Michael R. Thorpe of Milton, Vt., Scott D. Thorpe of Townsend and Craig W. Thorpe of Pepperell; a daughter, Heidi J. Mosher of Townsend; two brothers, Robert Thorpe of Townsend and Frederick Thorpe of Tucson, Ariz.; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren, all of whom will fondly remember their grandfather every time they catch the scent of oil paint or woodsmoke.

THORPE -- On March 12, Samuel S. Thorpe, Jr., 71, of Townsend. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Townsend United Methodist Church, Main Street, Townsend. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery, Townsend. Calling hours are today from 5 to 8 p.m. at the T. J. Anderson & Son Funeral Home, 250 Main St. (Route 119). Townsend. Please see www.andersonfuneral.com for additional information. Memorial contributions may be made to the Relay for Life, c/o Townsend Methodist Church, P.o. Box 497, Townsend MA 01469; or to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, c/o Craig Thorpe, 15 Elm St., Pepperell MA 01463.