Louis Albert Thayer of Bridgehampton died at his home on October 7 after a long illness. He was 83.
Born in Flushing, New York, on September 25, 1925, to Grace Moore Sussdorf and Nathan Townsend Thayer, he was a graduate of Flushing High School and graduated from Princeton University in the class of 1946. His education was interrupted by World War II, during which he served in the U.S. Army, stationed in India.
He worked in advertising and wrote for Vogue Magazine and Scholastic Books. During his career he lived in New York City but visited family in Bridgehampton during summers and weekends. Upon retirement, he returned to his family home in Bridgehampton, where he enjoyed his favorite pastimes of reading, writing, classical music, and the arts.
At his funeral, a lifelong friend of 82 years described him as a renaissance man: “He was equally at ease in the metropolis and in the countryside. He could chat with anyone engagingly; take pleasure in any kind of environment. Opinionated but thoughtful, he could get by with comments that would have been challenged by anyone else.
“Sometimes he was outrageous, but everyone loved it, because his wit could reach people at several levels of understanding, was usually kind, and resulted from careful intricate thought, despite sounding offhand.” Other survivors added that wherever he traveled, fun abounded and he will be missed by many.
He is survived by a brother, Richard M. Thayer of Sagaponack; four nephews, William G. Thayer of Bridgehampton and Roger M. Thayer, Richard M. Thayer and Robert M. Thayer, all of Sagaponack; three nieces, Nancy G. Thayer of Bridgehampton, and Carrie Thayer Crowley and Rebecca Thayer Wright, both of Sagaponack; and 21 great-nieces and great-nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Nathan Townsend Thayer Jr., and a nephew, Nathan Townsend Thayer III.
Visitation was held on October 8 at the Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton. A funeral service followed on October 9 at the First Presbyterian Church of Bridgehampton. Interment was at Edgewood Cemetery in Bridgehampton.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to East End Hospice, P.O. Box 1048, Westhampton Beach, NY 11978 would be appreciated by the family.
on Oct 13, 2008