Walter Thorpe Sr.

WINDHAM — Walter William Thorpe Sr., 76, passed away at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough, on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, surrounded by his family.

The son of Ernest and Leona (Howard) Thorpe, he was born in Framingham, Mass., on May 31, 1941. He attended and graduated from Holliston High School, where he fell in love with a classmate named Sandra Lawler. Two weeks after they graduated, the two were married on July 1, 1960. They lived for a short time in Framingham, Mass., but then moved to Northborough, Mass., where they settled down. After some time, they decided to move to Prince Edward Island, where Sandra had family, but they only made as far as Maine, where they decided to live instead. They loved to travel and circled the country several times in their R.V. Wally worked at S.D. Warren, and for the Metro. In retirement, he worked for Hannaford Supermarkets, first in the bakery and then as a cashier. He loved working for Hannaford, and was still working just two weeks ago. He was nominated as the Employee of the Month for this month. In 1978, he joined the South Windham Fire Department, where he retired from service as a Lieutenant in 1993. He enjoyed fishing and shooting, and was a member of the Pinetree Rod & Gun Club, and was also a member of the Dunlap Masonic Lodge # 47 in Biddeford.

He was predeceased by his brother, Eugene “Gene” Thorpe.

Wally is survived by his wife of 57 years, Sandra Thorpe of Windham; his sons, Walter William Thorpe Jr. and Kenneth of Gorham; his daughters, Robyn Manchester of Little Falls, Nadine Thorpe of Bridgton, and Doreen Mattson of South Windham; 13 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Frank Thorpe of Texas; and his sister, Christine Beckley of Michigan.

Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017 at 1 p.m. at South Windham Community Church, 31 Main Street, Windham. Services are under the care of Dolby Funeral Chapel, Windham.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Walter’s memory to the South Windham Fire Company, 33 Main St., Windham, ME 04062.