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Sean Thornton Obituary
He was raised in Freeport and Falmouth, attending local schools until moving to Wilmington, N.C. in 1995. He graduated from East Chapel Hill High School in 2000, attended colleges briefly in North Caroline, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts, before obtaining IT certification at Clark University in 2008.
At age 10 Sean disassembled his family computer and added memory to it on his own, a glimpse into what was to be his life passion. He worked to create conditions where people could creatively use computers according to their own wishes through participation in free software communities. He educated himself about numerous aspects of computing from software to operating systems to networking. He encouraged others to embrace the Linux operating system as he did.
Sean was bright and curious, read voraciously and leaves a legacy of online music appreciation in what was his real community. He was unbeatable at Jeopardy and Trivial pursuit, played chess at a high level and loved music, finding cutting edge bands before or whether they gained widespread popularity. He kept his family and friends supplied with discs of their music for which all are grateful.
Sean took his life on March 8, 2019, after struggling with depression since age 18. He underwent medical treatment and therapy throughout the rest of his years, multiple medication regimens, but nothing alleviated his condition for long. He sought emergency intervention in the days preceding his suicide at both Maine Medical Center and Mercy Hospital without success.
Sean was predeceased by his uncle, James R. Thornton, aunt, Judy Allison Kadlec; and his paternal and maternal grandparents, Joseph D. and Rita Thornton and Junius and Hester Allison, respectively. He is survived by his friends in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts, whom he made while living in those states as a young adult; his parents; sister; aunts, uncles; and numerous cousins.
A private service was held followed by cremation.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Sean Thornton
Maryann Robinson
April 12, 2019
Sarah, Joe and Katherine - I'm so very sorry about your Sean. I know he felt your strong love and support because you are such lovely people. I am witness to your generosity of spirit and kind sensitivities to those in need. Please know you are in my prayers and thoughts.
John & Susan Lajoie
April 11, 2019
Susan and I are deeply saddened by you loss and hope and pray that you are comforted by the good memories of Sean. Love and peace to you and your family. John & Susan
W0ogaWoO
March 25, 2019
Sean, you will be missed deeply.
I wish, I so wish we could of been there more for you.
dandon
March 23, 2019
I can't believe he's dead. Like Maestral wrote he was a very witty and smart person. The eulogy was spot on. I didn't believe it at first and thought someone in the chat made a mistake, but when I read the eulogy it sadly confirmed the messages. I shed some tears and I'm truly sorry for your loss. I would send flowers but they're asking for an address. The chat will be less populated now for sure. Don't troll the heavens too much :) and I hope now you'll find peace ;( bye ;(
Betty Harris
March 22, 2019
Dear Joe and Sarah, I am so sorry. I babysat for Sean and Katherine in 1985-86. Sean was one of my favorite kids. Quick to learn and laugh, he was a wonderful and sweet little boy, who lives in my memory always.
big_dad_e
March 19, 2019
"It is in dying that we are born to eternal life." St. Francis
Rest in peace you are missed by us all.
Roland Baader
March 19, 2019
To the Thornton family,
We have known Sean for years via our online community. He was a great friend, it saddens me that I never got to meet him AFK.
May be rest in peace and eternal.
Laurie Grant
March 17, 2019
Sarah, Joe and Katherine,
I was saddened when I saw that Sean had died. It seems like just a little while ago to me that I was taking care of Sean and Katherine when you lived in Falmouth. It is hard to know what to say. I send my most heartfelt sympathies to all of you.
Dennis Gears
March 17, 2019
Joe so sorry to see this, please accept my sympathies & condolences.
March 16, 2019
Dear Sarah and Joe,
Your pain and sadness are unimaginable. Children are not supposed to predecease their parents and certainly not in this way. So young and so tragic and so much life left to live. One can only hope that being forthright about this might help other parents and children and friends and health care providers better address depression.
Our hearts break for you.
Beth and Paul
Roberta Marean-Small
March 16, 2019
Dear Joe ,
My heart is breaking for you and your family. I am so so sorry. My prayers and hugs are going to you. Hold all your cherished memories close to your heart. ❤
Maestral
March 15, 2019
Dear Thornton family, we are the friends of your son Sean, from internet community he was part of. Your son was a great person, we shared a lot of good and bad days, as a family we all were and are. He left common memories with us, which we will have for the rest of our life. He was a smart, intelligent, witty person with great love and passion about life's most beautiful things like music, arts, IT. Sean have your peace and serenity, you will never be forgotten. Dear family, take our deepest condolences, may God bless you.
Cindy Rague
March 15, 2019
Sarah and Joe, my heart is breaking for you. There are no words that will take away your pain and sorrow. But know that you are in my thoughts and prayers, and that Sean is at peace. Love you both.
March 15, 2019
Dear Joe, Sarah and family,
Our hearts go out to you and all you have been through. Sean is suffering no more and we hope you all can rest and recover from this unimaginable loss. Prayers and positive healing energy are being sent to you all. Hoping you all know how much your love meant to him, despite his challenges.
Roxanne and Harvey Wheeler
Nina Fuller
March 15, 2019
I am so sad to read this, my heart goes out to you Joe and Sarah and your whole family. Sending healing love.
March 14, 2019
My deepest condolences go out to your family during this time. Please find comfort in knowing that God cares for you and he understands the grief you are experiencing. (1 Peter 5:6,7)
Stephanie McGovern
March 14, 2019
Dear Joe, Sarah and Katherine,
I am so sorry for your loss. Our 15 yr old son has also struggled with depression and othe issues over 2 yrs now and we feel your pain. He is at a treatment facility in Utah now with many ups and downs. Thank you for your honesty in a most difficult situation. It's hard to talk about things that have no easy fixes. Please take care of yourselves and know you did your best for your beautiful son. Warmly, Stephie Goulding McGovern
March 14, 2019
Dear Joe and Family , So sorry for your loss , there are no words . May your precious memories help keep your hearts light . Deepest Sympathy's Suzy DiBiase - Ricker
Laura Nash Rodas
March 14, 2019
Sean was a classmate in of mine in Falmouth. I recall how smart and energetic he was. I am so sorry to hear of his struggle and your family's loss. It was courageous to write frankly of his challenges but I hope doing so will somewhere help another who is in need. Wishing you healing as you grieve this incredible loss.
John Flaherty
March 14, 2019
Our deepest sympathies to Sarah and Joe. No words can make up for your loss, but know that your friends are thinking of you and praying for you and Sean, each in their own way.
Suzanne Regan
March 14, 2019
So sorry.
To lose a child, sister or brother breaks the heart and challenges the soul.
Sally
March 14, 2019
I don't know Sean, but I know a lot of people who suffer from depression. Thank you for making this information public; it will certainly help in removing the sigma attached. God Bless you, Sean, and may you rest in peace in the arms of God for all eternity.
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