William H. Thorpe

THORPE, William H. William H. Thorpe of Old Saybrook, passed away, Saturday, (December 9, 2006), at Middlesex Hospital surrounded by his family. Born in Springfield, MA, November 7, 1903, he lived many years in Agawam, MA, where he raised his family. After the death of his wife, Dorothy Van Heusen Thorpe, he relocated to Old Saybrook, fulfilling his dream to have "A little place by the sea." He was a salesman and sales manager of Bond Bread Baking Company for many years and then worked with his son for 27 years at Thorpe's Office Centre in Agawam and Old Saybrook. Bill was a member of the Agawam Baptist church where he served as a deacon. He also was a member of the First Church of Christ in Saybrook (Congregational). He was a member of 50 years of the Mount Orthodox Lodge AF & AM and Elks Westbrook Lodge #1784. He was a former Boy Scout leader in Norwich, a past member of the Agawam Lion's Club, and the Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce. Bill was an active member of the Estuary in Old Saybrook and enjoyed volunteering for several causes. His favorite was promoting and following The Tuxedo Junction Band. He recently celebrated his ninety third birthday at Bill's Seafood in Clinton, where he would faithfully show up on Monday evenings to sing and dance to the big band sounds of Tuxedo Junction Band. He leaves his daughter and son-in-law, Janelle and William Lovett of North Kingstown, RI; his son and daughter-in-law, Bradford and Susan Thorpe, of Old Saybrook; his grandchildren, Laura Turgeon, Martha Turgeon Bohachevsky, William Turgeon, Sarah Lovett, Alyona, James and Andrew Thorpe; his sister Irene Thorpe Chapin of Greenfield, MA; and is lovingly remembered by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. His wife, Dorothy, infant son, Ronald, a young son Douglas, and brother Lawrence Thorpe all predeceased him. Bill had also been grieving the loss of his precious friend and companion, Ruth Kobus, who predeceased him in July. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the First Church of Christ in Saybrook (Congregational), 366 Main St., Old Saybrook. There will be a graveside service at Agawam Center Cemetery, Agawam, MA, Wednesday at 2:15 p.m. Calling hours will be Wednesday from 9-10 a.m. at the church. Erickson-Hansen funeral Home, New Britain is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be to Estuary Council of Seniors of Old Saybrook, 220 Main Street Old Saybrook, 06475 or the Old Saybrook Education Foundation, 50 Sheffield Street, Old Saybrook, 06475. Please share a memory of Bill with the family in the online guest book at www.ericksonhan sen.com.