Herbert Thorpe Sr., 96, formerly of Marlborough

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WWII Veteran and Assistant Fire Chief

 

Herbert Thorpe Sr., 96, formerly of MarlboroughMarlborough – Herbert Blake Thorpe, aka Mick Sr., 96, formerly of Marlborough, passed away Thursday, April 20, 2017, surrounded by his family, at his home in Manchester, N.H.

He was married in 1946 to Helen McDonough, and resided on West Hill Road in Marlborough until her passing, when he then moved to Manchester, N.H. to live with his family.

He leaves a son, H. Blake Thorpe Jr.; a daughter, Jeannemarie Thorpe; and a son-in-law George F. Piehl, all of Manchester, N.H. He also leaves many nieces and nephews.

Thorpe was born in Ross Corners, Nova Scotia in 1920. He emigrated from Canada to the U.S. in 1925 with his family, and was naturalized in 1943 while serving in the U.S. Army. During his service in WWII, he received a commendation for his work in the Philippines. He was a 1938 graduate of Hudson High School, and studied Fire Science at Quinsigamond Community College.

Thorpe became a firefighter in Marlborough in 1956, and became Assistant Chief of the Marlborough Fire Department in 1979. He retired in 1982. He was among the first instructors at the Massachusetts State Fire Academy in Stow in the 1960s. He also worked for Town Paint in the 1950s and Gaynor Electric in the 1960s.

He was well known in his Manchester Bridge Street neighborhood for his treks in his scooter chair and his beautiful flowers in his garden.

His funeral will be held Tuesday, April 25, at 11 a.m., in the Immaculate Conception Church, 11 Prospect St., Marlborough. Burial, with military honors, will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Wilson Street, Marlborough. Visiting hours at the William R. Short and Son Funeral Home (www.shortfuneral.com), 95 West Main St. Marlborough, will be held Monday evening from 5-8 p.m.

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