Thomas N. Thornley

Thomas N. Thornley passed away peacefully in his sleep on the evening of Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at the age of 91

Tom was born in August of 1932 to Thomas and Angela Thornley. He grew up in Danielson, CT and graduated from Killingly High School. He was a standout football player gaining local notoriety as “the man with the golden toe” for his prowess as a kicker. In 1952 he married the love of his life Gloria Wood and recently celebrated 71 years of marriage. Together they raised two children, Glenn and Martha. He was the first in his family to attend college by going to Tufts University where he earned a BS in Chemistry. His time at Tufts was extended by a brief interruption by the US Army where he served as an ordnance specialist. Upon completing his degree in 1956 Tom went to work for the E. I. DuPont Company in Parlin, NJ. His career with Dupont would span a number of managerial assignments first in the Photo Products Department, and then the corporate Employee Relations Department both in Wilmington, DE and Coral Gables, FL. He later served as an executive on loan to the National Alliance of Business in Washington D.C. as liaison to the White House during the Reagan administration. In his final role he worked on special projects for the office of the chairman. In 1991 Tom retired early from DuPont. As a life-long golfer he immediately went to PGA golf school at Inverary and earned his professional teaching pro certification. With his card in hand, he and Gloria then spent the next 20 years wintering at PGA West where he taught golf to guests of the resort and summers in Wilmington playing at his beloved Biderman Golf Club. One favorite memory of their time at PGA West was his surprise at recognizing Florence Henderson on stage as the woman he had given a lesson earlier in the day. During his playing days he scored two holes in one, the first at Pine Valley and the second at Biderman. When the annual travel to the desert became too difficult, they remained in Wilmington year-round. They continued to enjoy their long and happy retirement playing golf, and enjoying their family as it grew over time.

Tom was predeceased by his parents and sister Norma Jean. He is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Gloria and sister-n-law Jo Burnett; two children, Glenn and his wife Susan of Greensboro, NC , and Martha of Wilmington, DE; three grandchildren, Douglas and his wife Anna of Reno, NV, David and his wife Suzy of Wilmington DE, and Caitlin of Los Angeles, CA; and 4 great grandchildren, Elizabeth (Libby), Potter, Meredith (Molly), and Sarah, all of Reno, NV. And many nieces and nephews.