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Bar News - January 7, 2005 In Memoriam ~ Judge Thornton Edward R. Thornton Jr., Franklin District Court Judge, 65, died Dec.22 at his home in Moultonborough after a long illness. A graduate of Dartmouth College, he earned his law degree from the University of Maine School of Law in 1965 and joined the New Hampshire Bar that same year. Judge Thornton worked for many years with his father Edward Thornton Sr. and his brother Paul at the firm Thornton & Thornton in Manchester. In 1987 he also became a part-time special justice, filling in at district courts around the state. He was appointed full-time judge in Franklin in March 2004. Chief Justice of the NH Supreme Court John Broderick had known Thornton for about 25 years and described him as, "very decent, very honorable, very unaffected. He was very concerned about doing the right thing for people…." Thornton called Broderick the Friday before his death and talked for 30 minutes, Broderick said, adding that Thornton sounded as if he was very much at peace. "Eddie died the way he lived," said his brother Paul, now of Leesburg. Fla. Speaking of his brother’s last day, Paul said that his brother knew his time was coming, but did not let his family know. "He was able to spend two quality hours with his wife and all his daughters…. He just gave everybody peace of mind when he passed away this morning," said Paul. Thornton was well known throughout the state. Broderick and Thornton and ten other attorneys were the founders of the New Hampshire Trial Lawyers Association and Thornton later became editor-in-chief of the Trial Bar News. Thornton was a very active member of the Bar, having served on the Board of Governors and on many Bar Committees. He was a participant and speaker at many of the Associations’ conferences and a recipient of both the President’s Award for Outstanding Pro Bono Service and the President’s Award for Distinguished Service. He was also a member of the Bar Foundation—and in 1988 was voted Member of the Decade of the NH Trial Lawyers Association. According to his brother, Edward Thornton was "a straight shooter—if you asked him a question, you were going to get his answer, not necessarily the one you wanted." During much of his time as a special justice, Thornton spent two days a week at the Derry District Court. LuAnn Gero, clerk of the court described him as, "a brilliant man. He was knowledgeable in every aspect of the law." She also spoke of one of Thornton’s many interests—making beautiful knives, including the handles and sheaths. Thornton also made fly rods. In fact, he carried his fishing gear in his car as a matter of course and was known to pull over if he spotted a promising place to fish. He liked boating and camping, as well; his favorite fishing spot was the Green River in Utah. Among Thornton’s other interests were gourmet cooking and gardening—and he won several awards at the Sandwich, Rochester and Deerfield Fairs for his canning and preserves. He also loved to read, especially history and other subjects that increased his depth of knowledge. Thornton leaves his wife Marion E. (Powell) Thornton, five daughters, two sisters, two brothers, his mother, and many nieces, nephews and friends. In memory of our colleague, the Hon. Edward R. Thornton, Jr., the New Hampshire Bar Association’s Board of Governors has contributed to the New Hampshire Bar Foundation, 112 Pleasant Street, Concord, NH 03301. |
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