Thornton "Choppy" Everett Candage

Thornton, nicknamed “Choppy” by his sister, attended Portland High School, earning his diploma in 1948. He continued his education at Maine Vocational Technical Institute (MVTI), graduating in 1950 as a member of only the fifth class to ever graduate from MVTI.

His working life began remarkably early. At just 14 years old, Choppy joined the railroad, Portland Terminal Co., where he worked from 1943 until May of 1946. At Rigby Yard he served as a “Call Boy,” and he also spent time as a Roundhouse Boilermaker helper and Machinist helper.

Choppy met his wife, Diana, in 1948 and they married on Jan. 1, 1950. They had raised three daughters together until she passed away in 1991. He married Gloria Boyd, a high-school friend, on Feb. 5, 1994.

On May 13, 1946, Choppy enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving for two years as a Radio Operator in the era of World War II. He was Honorably Discharged on December 18, 1947. He later joined the U.S. Naval Reserve on May 18, 1949, as an “inactive” Seaman Apprentice, and was Honorably Discharged from the United States Navy on February 17, 1954.

Following his military service, Choppy built a long and respected career with Otis Elevator, where he worked as a Mechanic and Inspector from 1954 until his last day at work on April 30, 1989.

Choppy was a member of Holy Martyrs Church in Falmouth. He was also a member of Val Halla Golf Course, and the Hiram Lodge No. 180. He was a Little League Coach in Cumberland for many years.

He is predeceased by his parents, Arthur and Eva; Diana and Gloria, and his Grandson, Jeremy Ames of Chebeague Island.

He is survived by his three Daughters, Pamela Ames of North Yarmouth, Patti Mikkelsen of New Gloucester, and Paula Candage of North Truro, MA; Granddaughter, Jennifer Kimball of North Yarmouth; and Great-Granddaughters, Diana Kimball of Orono, as well as Alissa and Sophia Ames and their mother, Tracy Ames of Chebeague Island.

A Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2026 at 1 PM at Pine Grove Cemetery, 9 Waites Landing Road, Falmouth, ME, with a reception to follow at Foreside Tavern, 270 US-1, Falmouth, ME.