Warren O. Thorell

PRINCETON – Warren O. Thorell, at 102 years of age, died peacefully after a short illness on Friday, August 22, 2025, at UMASS Memorial HealthAlliance – Leominster Campus, surrounded by the love of his family. Warren will be remembered for his calm and reassuring presence, intelligence, kindness, sense of humor, problem solving abilities, his master skill at so many trades, and as a marksman. He was quite a guy. Born in Princeton at his family home on November 5, 1922, Warren was the son of Oscar E. and Signe H. (Johnson) Thorell and was proudly a native lifelong resident of Princeton.

Warren grew up in Princeton with his Swedish parents and four sisters. Swedish was the primary language spoken at home while he was young. He learned to work hard with life on a dairy farm, without so many of the things we take for granted today. He would note that they did not have a phone or electricity at home until he was nearing the end of grade school. He was driving in the fields at a very early age and his father had him drive on the road before he was 10. This humble beginning led to some very spirited times behind the wheel as a young man both on the road and at the so-called “race-track” that he and his compatriots had created.

After graduating from high school, Warren began working at Norton Company in Worcester, MA. Like so many of "The Greatest Generation", he left his job in 1942 to serve his country during World War II. He served in the U.S. Navy for 3 years. During this time, he logged thousands of hours as a bombardier in a PBY-Catalina (flying boat) flying from a number of island bases across the South Pacific. He earned the nickname "Lucky" in the service as a result of some very narrow escapes.

After completing his military service, he returned to Norton Company, where his career ended up spanning 37 years - at Norton, he was always and only known by his nickname, Lucky. He concluded his time at Norton with many years as the Foreman of the Sheet Metal and Welding Department in Engineering and Construction Services. It was clear that he was very highly respected by his staff, peers, and superiors. Beginning in the late 1950s, Warren began working part-time for the Town of Princeton Police Force while continuing his full-time job at Norton. It was rumored that his “spirited youth” may have played a part is his being asked to join the department. He was successful as a Police Officer, then as Sergeant, and eventually he became a respected Chief of Police, a position he held for 10 years until his retirement.

He married the love of his life, M. Clare (Cragan) Thorell on Flag Day, June 14, 1945. Warren and Clare raised their three children in Princeton. When the children were young, they would often take an “after supper” ride to “look for deer” (which were usually seen). They would stop at a nice piece of land on Westminster Road in Princeton overlooking the Boston skyline. His wife would say, “Some day we are going to have a house right here.” After some twists and turns, this dream came true. They spent many happy years in the house they built there and amazingly Warren was able to stay at this home until only days before his passing - exactly what he wanted. At home he had his daily newspaper, his afternoon cowboy shows, his birds at his multiple feeders and his pellet gun to discourage the squirrels that tried to muscle their way in on the bird food – and his Jezynowka (Polish blackberry brandy) nightcap. It was a very, very rich and full life. Now he is dancing with his bride.

In 2023 Warren was awarded the Boston Post Cane from the Town of Princeton recognizing him as the town’s oldest resident. When told he would be the recipient of the award, he told his family, “This is definitely an honor, but I’m not sure I want to accept it.” Why? “The people who get this just end up dying”, he said. He was right.

Warren will be lovingly missed and remembered by his devoted children and their spouses, Bonnie C. and Charles P. Schmohl, Warren D. and M. Anne Thorell, and Robert J. and Marcia L. Thorell; his cherished grandchildren and their partners, Pat and Jen Schmohl, Liz and Jason Hilton, Megan and Erik Jensen, Kate Thorell and Delhia Allen, Kelsa Thorell and Jason Dempsey, Casey Thorell; Molly and Matt Fant, and Julia and Kevin Mahoney; and his great-grandchildren, Chip and Jayna, Grace and Max, Owen and Shane, Finn, and Lincoln.

Warren was predeceased by his true love and wife of nearly 64 years, M. Clare (Cragan) Thorell in 2009. She would often say that he earned the nickname "Lucky" because he found her. Actually, they were truly lucky that they found each other. He was also predeceased by his four sisters, Doris H. Willard, Marion E. Thorell, Florence H. Genis and Helen T. Douty.

Funeral services will be private.

Arrangements are in the care of Miles Funeral Home of Holden. In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations may be made to The Salvation Army (www.salvationarmyusa.org) or to a charity of the donor's choice.