Thornton Pierce Klarén Jr. (Thorny), 88, of South Dartmouth, passed away Saturday, August 31, 2024 after a brief illness at St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford. He was predeceased by his wife of 57 years, Sandra Harrop Klarén.
Born in Boston, Ma., he was the son of the late Thornton Pierce Klarén and Esther (Blaimire) Klarén. Thorny grew up in in Westport, Ma with his brother Robert Klarén, and later attended Vermont Academy and Middlebury College. After college he was drafted into the United States Army and spent a brief time in Korea.
He was an avid skier, president and owner of the Jonathan Handy Co. Inc. in New Bedford and served on the trustee boards of the New Bedford Five and Compass Banks.
After retirement, he enjoyed spending summers with Sandra on their boat, JEST, in Menemsha Harbor on Martha’s Vineyard, they enjoyed spending a few weeks each winter in Grand Cayman, and also volunteered his time at New Bedford’s Whaling Museum.
He is survived by his brother, Robert Klarén and family of Pinedale Wyoming, his son, Jonathan Klarén, daughter in-law Kim, granddaughter Kelly Anne and daughter Ellen Klarén.
In lieu of flowers, we ask donations be made to the New Bedford Whaling Museum’s ‘Museum Fund’ in his memory 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, MA 02740 or www.whalingmuseum.org.
Burial plans are private with family graveside.
For on-line tributes, visit our website at www.waring-sullivan.com
