SPRINGFIELD ~ Robert Harry “Bob” Thornton, 70, of the North End section of Springfield, was Called Safely Home on Monday, April 23, 2018. He passed into Eternal Life at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family and his wonderful caregivers. He was born in Westfield on September 30, 1947, a beloved son of the late Harry E. and Lilaine S. (Kerangnevin) Thornton. He was raised in Westfield, attended Westfield schools and had moved to Springfield in the 1970’s. He was employed as a machine operator at the Strathmore Paper Company in Westfield. He was a former communicant of Saint Mary Church in Westfield. In his spare time, Bob enjoyed bowling, golfing, hunting and fishing. Above all, he loved spending time with his loving family and his many dear friends. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Nitza (Martinez-Guzman) Thornton. They were married on February 24, 1968 at Saint Mary Church in Westfield and were blessed with over 50 years of happiness together. Bob also leaves his three loving children, Jeannette A. Rivera and her husband, Luis “Angel” Rivera, of Palmer, Robert H. Thornton, Jr. and his wife, Christine (Benoit) Thornton, of Feeding Hills and John P. Thornton and his wife, Elizabeth Garcia, of Springfield; his seven cherished grandchildren, Christina Rivera, Lianette Rivera and her companion, Timothy Sheehan, Alexandra Thornton, Joseph Thornton, John P. Thornton, Jr., Anthony Thornton and Vanessa Thornton; his six cherished great-grandchildren, Christopher Bamber, Gavin Santinello, Jordan Leon, Luis A. Thornton, Lorenzo Thornton and Anthony Thornton; his two dear brothers, Roger Thornton and his wife, Dell, of Springfield and Roland Thornton of Texas; his two dear sisters, Aldina Brown of Westfield and Liza Curry and her husband, Kevin, of Feeding Hills; his dear sister-in-law, Carol Thornton of Westfield. Bob also leaves his in-laws of the Martinez and Guzman families including his two dear brothers-in-law, Fernando Martinez and his wife, Heidi, of Orlando, FL and Raymond Guzman and his wife, Rita, of Springfield; his two dear sisters-in-law, Maria Elsa Martinez and her husband, Jesus DeJesus of Cayey, PR and Sonia Torres of Aibonito, PR; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended members of the Thornton, Martinez and Guzman families. In addition to his parents, he was also predeceased by his dear brother, Ronald Thornton; his dear sister, Linda Thornton; and his dear brother-in-law, Pedro Tomas Torres. His family will receive friends on Saturday, April 28, 2018 from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. which will be followed by a Prayer Service at 4:30 p.m. at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107 (funeral home will open at 2 p.m.). His Burial will be private at the convenience of his family. For those who prefer, his family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Children’s Miracle Network at Baystate Medical Center, 280 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01199. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
