Charles Robert Thornton, retired Senior Special Agent, GPR, passed away December 24, 2015. The following is his published obituary:

• It is with great sadness that the family of Charles Robert Thornton announces his passing. Charles was the 5th son of 10 children born on December 12, 1928 to Emily Francis Batson-Taylor and Roger Thornton. He passed on December 24, 2015.

  After graduating from Hartford High School, he joined the Army and proudly served his country in the Korean and Vietnam wars, earning the Purple Heart for his service. During his military career, he met and married Nobuko Otsuki in Kobe, Japan. They raised four children and travelled to various duty stations in Panama, Okinawa and several states in the continental U.S. while he rose to the rank of Sergeant Major.

  After serving 23 years in the Army, in 1971 Charles went to work for the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a Senior Special Agent Criminal investigator before retiring in 1991. Charles enjoyed playing multiple sports as a youth and carried that love into adulthood where he enjoyed playing golf, rooting for his New England Patriots, Boston Celtics and Kansas Jayhawks and singing in an ensemble that included his sister and brother-in-law to entertain senior citizens.

  Charles was preceded in death by his daughter, Margie, and his male siblings Richard, Roger, Norman, Harold, Jamie, Everett and Clifford. Charles is survived by his son, Michael Thornton and wife, Nora; daughters June Thornton Marsh and Madi Thornton Vannaman and husband, Robbie; his sisters, Barbara Burgess and husband, Rudy and Shirley Thornton; two grandchildren, Dylan Norie and James and his wife Lily and one great-grandchild, Jameson. Charles is also survived by a host of other beloved nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

  He will be deeply missed by his children who are thankful and appreciative for the sacrifices he made to serve and fight for our country and the sound foundation he provided for their lives.

  A celebration of Charles's life will be held on December 31, 2015. There will be a viewing from 9-11am at Rose Hill Funeral Home, 580 Elm Street, Rocky Hill, CT.

  Memorial contributions can be made to either the Alzheimer's Association or the Wounded Warrior Project and may be sent in care of the Rose Hill Funeral Home, 580 Elm Street, Rocky Hill, CT 06067-2004.