Robert Noel Thorne

Robert N. Thorne, 82, of Westminster, California, formerly of Ashland, Massachusetts, passed away on February 5, 2026, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. His wife of 58 years, Nancy (Page) Thorne, from Temple Hills, Maryland, was by his side.

Bob was known to family as Robin or Rob. In the Navy, some called him Doc. With friends he was Bob.

Born on August 9, 1943, in Framingham, Massachusetts, Robert was the eldest son of Robert E. and Marilyn (Buckmaster) Thorne. He graduated from Ashland High School and soon after entered the U.S. Navy. Following his Navy dental technician training in San Diego, he was transferred to Washington, D.C. to the Navy Dental clinic. Bob was coming to the end of his military service and went to a dance with a fellow sailor where Bob met Nancy. She noted his Boston accent and a handsome similarity to President John F. Kennedy, also intrigued that her own family spent summers in Jamestown, Rhode Island, only about an hour from Ashland. When they got married they drove across the country in their new Oldsmobile convertible to La Habra, California to stay with his aunt and uncle for two weeks and then got their own apartment. After visiting Laguna Beach only once, immediately Nancy wanted to move there since it was only a block to the beach.

After that they moved to Costa Mesa to get his A.A. from Orange Coast College. Then he transferred to the University of California, Irvine, graduating in 1973 and earned a B.S. in biology. Bob went on to build a long and respected career as a prosthetics dental technician, owning his own dental lab and working closely with many local dentists, making primarily removable dentures.

Bob embraced the California lifestyle wholeheartedly. He loved taking his sailboat out in Newport Harbor, and occasionally sailing the 26 nautical miles to Catalina Island. He also became a scuba diver. He loved spending time in Newport at the beach on Sundays mostly playing volleyball, and gathering with friends at their favorite local spot. His fun, gregarious personality made him instantly likable-he had a gift for making everyone feel welcome. Despite his many years on the West Coast, he always held Ashland close to his heart and proudly traveled the farthest to attend his high school reunions. A man of deep faith, he and Nancy were active members of St. John Vianney Chapel on Balboa Island in Newport Beach and after COVID, at St. Bonaventure in Huntington Beach, closer to home. His thoughtfulness, warmth and laughter will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Traveling with Bob was fun. They went to Baja California, Mexico, primarily to Tijuana and Ensenada, camping in tents with friends since they were young and poor. Later a trip to Hawaii, and once to South America, spending three weeks in Peru and Brazil. Bob convinced the locals to let him play volleyball with the guys at Copacobana Beach. Bob is survived by his wife, Nancy, and her many bicoastal siblings and their families: his brother, Gregory; sister, Susan and her fiance Tony; and his nephews and their families - Adam and Rebecca Gardner and their children Ethan, Sarah and Luke; David and Yurenny Gardner, Michael Thorne and his fiance Katie, and Paul Thorne. He also leaves behind many cousins, and was preceded in death by his sister, Valerie Gardner.

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Bonaventure Church in Huntington Beach, California for nearby family and friends, as well as a Celebration of Life. A memorial service and burial will take place soon thereafter in Ashland. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Heifer International, an organization Bob held dear.