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John Thornton
John Thornton of Quiogue and New York City died on November 10 after a brief illness. He was 94.
Born in 1927 in Grimsby, England, he was a graduate of St. John’s College, Oxford. He arrived in New York City on a work visa to manage the New York office of the Manchester Guardian newspaper and made New York his home for the next 70 years. After a long career as a magazine circulation promotion executive, Thornton retired from Forbes magazine in 1995.
He and his family spent summers and fall weekends on Quiogue in the same yellow house he bought in 1962. His hobbies included gardening, swimming, reading, and painting the house, a never-ending endeavor. In the city, he enjoyed opera, art exhibits, and classical music concerts. He was well known for his cooking skills, and his family recalls fondly the many Sunday dinners he prepared.
He is survived by his wife Joan, to whom he was married for more than 66 years; his three children Christopher, Fenella, and Hugh; six grandchildren; and his brother David. He was predeceased by his son Robert.
A memorial service will be held at a later date in Westhampton.
Staff Writer on Nov 14, 2022