Funeral Information for Captain Robert Franklin Thornton, Retired East York (L-418)

Robert Thornton – May 1937 – June 2025

Passed peacefully at Peterborough Regional Health Centre on Thursday, June 12. Beloved husband of the late Essie E. Thornton. Loving stepfather to David T. Bowie (pre-deceased) and his wife, Judith. Loving father figure to Christine Galea (“babies,” Percival and Llewelyn) and her brother, Philippe Galea. Loving grandfather of David W. Bowie, Cristin Bowie, and Stephanie Klaassen. Great-grandfather to John-Henry, Whitney, Liam, Paxton, Billy, Robert, David, Jacob, Madison, and Brayden. Loving great-great-grandfather to Rowan. Loving brother of Geraldine Posnett and her husband, Edward (pre-deceased), and Michael Thornton, and uncle to Stephen Posnett.

Robert was a retired Fire Captain, his service commencing in Leaside in 1965 and retiring from the East York Fire Department in 1993, after 28 years of dedicated service.

Visitation – Saturday, June 28 from 10 am to 12 pm, Highland Park Funeral Centre at 2510 Bensfort Rd., Peterborough.

Memorial Service – Saturday, June 28 at 12 pm, Highland Park Funeral Centre at 2510 Bensfort Rd., Peterborough. Reception to follow the Service. The Reverend Crystal Moore will be officiating. In Memory of Mr. Thornton, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated.

Online condolences may be made here.

Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends from all our Fire Fighter Retiree Groups.

In Solidarity,

Retired Toronto Fire Fighters Association I.A.F.F. Local 3888