Obituary of Clair A Thornton

MOHAWK – Clair A. Thornton, 77 of Oregon Road, Town of German Flatts passed away Tuesday, August 28, 2018 at his residence. Born on December 22, 1940 in Norwich, NY the son of the late Elbert A. and Gladys I. (Pangburn) Thornton. He was a 1959 graduate of Mohawk High School. He was married at onetime to the mother of his three children the former Marcia Harvey. He married Margaret Arthur of Belfast, NY on June 21, 1987 and the couple lived in Mohawk. Mr. Thornton was employed for many years by the former MDS Corp., Herkimer and later as a Custodian for the Mohawk Central School District retiring after 13 years of service. He enjoyed woodworking and decorating his home on the Oregon Road with his seasonal projects. He also enjoyed gardening. He was well known for growing unusally large zucchinni and always having an abundance of vegetables, which he shared with family and friends. He also enjoyed rabbits and attending the shows with his wife Margaret. He is survived by his wife Margaret, his children, Debra Thornton and her partner Nancy Hebert, Springfield, MA, Timothy Thornton and his wife Staci, Carthage, NY, and Darlene Thornton, Claysburg, PA, his step son Michael Harrington and his husband John Cittadino-Harrington, Utica, his step daughters, Christine Millsaps and her husband Tom, Lusby, MD, Suzanne Manuel and her husband Daryl, Lusby, MD and Jessica Holmen and her husband Kirk, Arnold, MD, his brother, Allen Thornton and his wife MaryAnn, Frankfort, his sisters Patricia Taylor and her husband Joseph, Newton, NC, Lena Burritt, Cicero, NY, Gloria Wisenburn and her husband George, Ilion, fifteen grandchildren and eight great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and two sisters Elberta Stever and Georgia Nelson. Funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours. Arrangements are by the Chapman-Moser Funeral Home, Inc., 42 N. Ann Street, Little Falls, NY. The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the staff of Hospice and Palliative Care, for their care and compassion shown to Mr. Thornton and his family. In lieu of flowers, his family wishes donations in his name to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, 1731 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314