Thornton "Ben" E. Tobey

Born in Bourne, MA, a son of the late Ellery S. and Pearl G. (Hammond) Tobey. He had 13 brothers and sisters: Thelma, Rhoda, and predeceased by Carol, Pearl, Wilhelmena, Alice, Louise, Gertrude, Ernestine, Aaron, Alcott, Elton, and Malcolm.

Ben had worked for the Town of Bourne as a custodian and was a skilled mason. He was also very active in Bourne youth sports and coached several sports teams. He worked closely with students for years and always pushed for their success. Ben was also a talented golfer and in his life had 8 holes-in-ones. He was very committed to the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and spent a lot of his free time at the Tribal Counsel House. He was loved by friends and family from all over.

He is survived by his five children. Elizabeth P. Rice and her husband Rockland of Concord, VT. Deborah A. St. Jean and her husband George of Fairhaven, MA. Pamela M. Tobey of Warwick, RI. Thornton E. Tobey Jr. and his partner Nancy Rose of Wareham, MA. Thomas S. Tobey of Buzzards Bay, MA.

Ben was also a wonderful and loving grandfather to Katherine Rice, Karen Rice, Ozora Rice, George R. St. Jean Jr. and his wife Trista, Jillian Zangao and her husband Michael, Stephanie Tobey and her partner Melissa, Tanya Beebe and her husband Kevin, Patricia Tobey, Nina Tobey, Thomas Tobey Jr., Cameron Tobey, Hannah Tobey and the late Kimberly Rice.

He was also a proud great-grandfather to sixteen great grandchildren: Kaila Jewell, Kelsey Stewart, Anthony Briggs, David Rapoza, Niko Richardson, Austin Rice, Levi Rice, Taniel Farrow, Brenna Dugan, Penelope St. Jean, Stella Zangao, Gwen Zangao, Kennedy Zangao, James McCooe, Olivia Beebe, and Connor Beebe.

Many thanks to the nurses and nurses assistance at St. Lukes Hospital of New Bedford. Monique and Sherry from Caregiver Homes. Lastly, thank you to his nephew Aaron Tobey Jr. to whom he was very close .

His visitation will be held on Saturday, April 7, 2018 from 1 to 7 p.m. at the Nickerson-Bourne Funeral Home 40 MacArthur Blvd., Bourne, MA. Immediately following the visitation, repast will be held at the Wampanoag Tribe's Government Center, 483 Great Neck Rd., South Mashpee.

There will be a private funeral held on a date to be announced. In lieu of flowers donations in his memory can be made to: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 4600 Fairfax Drive St. 102 Arlington, VA 22203.