John L. Thornton, Sr.

Pawtucket – John L. Thornton, Sr., 75, passed away at his home on Saturday, July 12, 2025. He was the beloved husband of Gale M. (Kotlarski) Thornton. Born in Pawtucket, he was a son of the late William P., Sr. and Annette (St. Hilaire) Thornton. John was a graduate of Saint Raphael Academy, Class of 1967 and was commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army Ordnance Corps in 1972. He served in locations throughout the United States during the Vietnam War Era and was in the US Army reserves during Desert Storm, for a total of both active and reserve duties for twenty-eight years, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. John will be lovingly remembered by all whose lives he has touched over the past seventy-five years. Besides his loving wife, John leaves two children, John L. Thornton, Jr in Texas, and Stephanie G. Thornton in Maine; a brother, William P. Thornton, Jr. in New York; four grandchildren; one great-granddaughter and many nieces and nephews. John was predeceased by his four sisters,...