Donald Jean Thorne

Donald Jean Thorne passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 17, 2024. 

Donald was born in 1935 to Lawrence Thorne and Alma (Kinney) Thorne in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. He had a wonderful childhood with his many brothers and sisters, full of love and shenanigans, as evidenced by all the stories he loved to share with his own children and grandchildren. 

Don joined the U.S. Army when he was 17 years old and returned to the Soo after his service, where he worked on the Soo Locks tour boats. That is where he met a beautiful young tourist named Patricia, who became the love of his life. Don and Pat married in 1963 and soon moved to Detroit where he obtained his stationary engineer license and enjoyed a long career with the Detroit Public School system. 

After his retirement, Don and Pat spent several winters in Florida and eventually moved south to Hendersonville, Tennessee,  where he enjoyed working around the house, listening to music, spending time with his family and reminiscing about his wonderful life. 

Don is survived by his wife, Patricia; his children Brenda (Colyn) Massaro, Deborah (Erick) Kendall and Michael (Lauren) Thorne; grandchildren Nicole, Joshua, Emily, Derek, Jacob, Noah, Alice and Shawn; siblings Victor (Karen) Thorne and Delores Blanchard. He was predeceased by his siblings Monica Aungulo, Lawrence (Sonny) Thorne, James Thorne, Robert Thorne and Louis Thorne. 

A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church. Burial services in Nashville National Cemetery will be private.