Thurlow Baker Bearse

Thurlow Baker Bearse, (Buss), 103, of Centerville, MA died on Monday, March 5, 2018. A multi-generational Cape Codder, he was born, April 17,1914 to the late Harry C. and Annie ( Baker) Bearse and raised on Ocean St. in Hyannis. His lifetime spanned ice/milk/meat home-delivery wagons, horse drawn snowplows, 2 World Wars, Korean and Vietnam conflicts, space travel and the computer age.

He graduated from Barnstable High School as President of his class, then Brown University, and retired from the US Navy as a Commander. Buss served in the Navy during World War II commanding an LCT transporting men and supplies between Italy and North Africa. After the war he went to work for his father at Bradford’s Hardware in Hyannis and was responsible for the store’s expansion in the 1950’s. He continued to grow the business right up to his retirement at age 65. As past president of Cummaquid Golf Club, he expanded the course from a 9 to an 18- hole course during his tenure. He was a lifetime member and a club champion. He served 6 years on the Town of Barnstable Finance Committee and was a board member of Bass River Savings Bank.

Buss loved the outdoors ---trapping muskrats for Christmas money as a boy; gardening, hunting, fishing, shell fishing and golfing into his 90’s.

He will be buried in Chatham next to his wife Parna Weinz Bearse of 60 years. He is survived by his 2 daughters, Martha Robinson, and Wendy King; a niece, Barbara Hunziker, and 5 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

A service will be held at the Federated Church in Hyannis on Saturday, May 12, 2018 at 2pm. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Federated Church of Hyannis 320 Main St. Hyannis, MA 02601 or Beacon Hospice 68 Center St. Hyannis, MA 02601.