Thornton, Charles E.

Description

Charles E. Thornton was born on December 21, 1924, in Rye, New York, his father, Royal, was 38 and his mother, Ellen, was 33. He had two brothers Leroy and Robert and three sisters. In Rye his family lived at 25 Everett St. and were members of the Church of the Resurrection.

Charles was a Rye High School Graduate, Class of 1943. He was a graduate of University of Miami where he received a bachelor’s degree and was a member of Theta Kappa Omega fraternity He enlisted and served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II.

Charles served as an aerial gunner on a Consolidated B-24 Liberator. The B-24 was used extensively in World War II.

It served in every branch of the American armed forces as well as several Allied air forces and navies. It saw use in every theater of operations.

A native of Rye NY he moved to Florida and lived in Vero Beach for nine years. Charles moved then to Hobe Sound and Fort Lauderdale ” Before retirement he was a contractor in South Florida for 45 years.

After retirement he was a security officer with Gold Star Security Co Vero Beach for eight years .

He was a member of St John of the Cross Church Vero Beach He was past commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars and Carpenters Union Local 3260 Palm Beach County and Fort Lauderdale

Charles Edward Thornton died on February 1, 1999, in Indian River Memorial Hospital at the age of 74.

Survivors induded his wife of 35 years Anne M Thornton of Veto Beach two sons Scott Thornton and wife Mallarina of Vero Beach and Shawn and wife Joann Snowden of Sidney NY a daughter Cathy Picard and husband Dana of Lawrenceville Ga a brother Robert Thornton of Fort Knee two sisters Madeline Badaloto of Rye and Doris Brennan and husband Lawrence of Fort Myers and six grandchildren