Leonard Dale Thornton

Leonard Dale Thornton, of Falls Church, Virginia passed away at his home on June 18, 2025.

The son of Ernest Lester Thornton and Jean Elery Densmore, Dale was born in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada on May 29, 1943. He married Brenda Joyce Downey on December 12, 1964, in St. Stephen, New Brunswick.

Dale enlisted in the United States Navy in 1962 and served for 30 years, achieving the rank of Command Master Chief. He was a veteran of the Vietnam and Persian Gulf Wars. Dale served on the USS Hornet, was assigned to CHINFO, Washington D.C. and then attended the Defense Language Institute at Fort Bliss, TX before serving in Vietnam. He served on the USS Franklin D Roosevelt and was then assigned to Pentagon tours with the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, COMNAVMILPERSCOM and OPNAV. He completed his service on the USS Puget Sound and the USS Spartanburg County.

After his retirement from the military, Dale returned to Falls Church and worked for another 20 years as a security specialist for numerous government contractors in the Washington DC area. He will be remembered as a caring and active member of his local community, always lending neighbors a helping hand when in need.

Dale was an avid birder, fisherman, golfer and woodworker. He enjoyed sharing outdoor activities with friends and family in both Virginia and Canada. He was a volunteer and nest monitor for the Virginia Bluebird Society. In addition, Dale was a devoted ice hockey enthusiast. In Virginia, he played hockey for many years and even played in the senior leagues into his 70s. He was a lifelong fan of the Washington Capitals, beginning when he attended the team’s first game.

Dale is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Brenda, daughter Angela (Anthony) DeVico, and son Leonard Scott (Peggy) Thornton. He is survived by his granddaughters Julia (Nathan) Dewire, Ashley (James) Potter and Katie (Robert) Koss who were his pride and joy. Dale is also survived by his aunt, Frances Dowling, and numerous cousins and other relatives in New Brunswick.

The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to all the doctors, nurses and personnel at Walter Reed National Military Center and the nurses and caregivers at Goodwin Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Fisher House Foundation or Goodwin Hospice at Goodwin Living Foundation.

A private funeral service was held, and interment will be at a later date.