Frederick William Thornton

THORNTON, Frederick “Rick” William, age 72, of East China Township, Michigan, passed away suddenly on Thursday night, December 4, 2014 at the hospital surrounded by his family. Born June 21, 1942, in Sudbury, Ontario, he was the son of the late Dr. William B. Thornton and Helen (Dougan) Thornton.

Rick met his beautiful bride, JoAnne Needham, in Sarnia Ontario, where they fell in love and married in July 1966. Soon after, they moved to Calgary Alberta where they started their family and careers. Together they journeyed back to Ontario where Rick began a successful and industrious career in various business ventures. Rick was the owner and operator of Needham’s Sports and Marine in Sarnia, Ontario for more than 15 years. His entrepreneurial spirit continued with the development and success of PeatPlus Technologies over the past 23 years.

Some of Rick’s favorite things to do were boating with his closest friends and family. His favorite destinations were Georgian Bay, Burt Lake, the Indian River and Hilton Head where he spent many great holidays with close friends and family. He was an avid Alpine Skier and thoroughly enjoyed the outdoors.

He is survived by his three children; son Robert (Kaye) Thornton of Auburn Hills, Michigan; daughter Tobi (Fred) Blue; and daughter Katie (Andreas) Thornton both from Victoria, British Columbia; 6 grandchildren, Jacquelyne Kaye, Carson William, Teagan Anne, Declan Robert, Pippa Katherine, Breck William; and his sister Elizabeth “Lee” (Thornton) Bond of Toronto, Ontario, as well as many other loving nieces, nephews and relatives.

A celebration of life for Rick Thornton will be held at The Voyageur at 2:00 - 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 9, 2014, 525 S. River Rd., St.Clair, MI 48079. A private family burial will follow at Lakeview Cemetery where Rick will join his lifelong partner and the love of his life, JoAnne. In lieu of flowers, donations will be graciously accepted at the Heart and Stroke Foundation in memory of Rick.

http://www.heartandstroke.com/site/c.ikIQLcMWJtE/b.3479069/k.C267/Donate.htm

We will miss his laughter, love, and all the good times that he shared with his family and friends. CHEERS!