Henry F. Thorne, Jr.
Henry F. Thorne, Jr. of Wallingford, Pa., passed away November 6, 2019 from complications of congestive heart failure. He was 76.
Born in 1943 in Brockton, Mass., to Henry F. Thorne and Dorothy W. (Trott) Thorne of Braintree, Mass., Hank graduated from Braintree High School in 1961 and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1965, then served in the U.S. Navy for 5 years as a Naval Intelligence Officer, before attending the Wharton School of University of Pennsylvania, where he received his M.B.A. in 1972.
He served in many positions as a banker at Southeast National Bank, Fidelity Bank, and Howard Savings Bank, before becoming president of DNB First, where he worked for 14 years before retiring. He began working at Asian Bank part time in 2010 and was chairman of the board at the time of his death.
Hank was always involved in community activities and served on the boards of Helen Kate Furness Free Library, Chambers of Commerce in Delaware and Chester counties, United Way, Women Against Rape, Chester County Economic Development Council, Community College and hospital boards. At the time of his death, he was on the board of Chester County 2020, volunteering at the library on Monday mornings, and running the League of Women Voters of Central Delaware County Hot Topic Luncheons which he helped create in 2007 with his friend, the late Jaydee Miller. He loved sharing his passion for the Outer Banks, sitting and walking on the beach, bird watching, reading, golfing, painting, pottery, sports, cars, a good beer, discussions with friends in the “Friday breakfast group” and troubleshooting mechanical and organizational problems.
Hank is survived by Olivia, his wife and friend of 54 years; his daughter, Beth, her husband Chris; two grandchildren, Tyler and Mackenzie Smith of Millis, Mass.; his sister, Beverly Aitken of Middleboro, Mass.; nieces Patricia Boyle and Lisa Acero; and brother-in-law, Alan Loughnan of S.C.
A visitation will be held at the Minshall Shropshire-Bleyler Funeral Home, Middletown (Rte. 352) & Knowlton Roads., Middletown Twp., Media, PA 19063, on Saturday, November 16, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. with a memorial service at 11:30 a.m. followed by lunch. The family welcomes all of Hank’s friends to join them in celebrating his life.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the League of Women Voters of Central Delaware County, P.O. Box 131, Wallingford, PA 19086 or Helen Kate Furness Library, 100 N. Providence Road, Wallingford, PA 19086.
Condolences: www.msbfh.com.