|Obituary from Pinette, Dillingham & Lynch Funeral Home and Cremation Services|
New Gloucester, ME – William “Ken” Thurston, 91, known to many as “Papa”, passed away at his home in New Gloucester the morning of June 7, 2024. He was the husband of the late Jeanne A. (Couture) Thurston.
Ken was the eldest son of Gladys Evelyn and William Errold Thurston, born in Lewiston on September 2, 1932. He graduated from Edward Little High School in 1951, marrying the love of his life, Jeanne, the same year.
He went on to work at C.E. Thurston and Son’s in Danville, then Carter Milling Feeds, and retired from Bath Iron works as a Licensed Steam Engineer. As a registered Maine Guide since age 18, Ken spent most of his time in the woods, hunting, trapping, fishing, and gardening. He enjoyed traveling to northern Maine, Canada, and Alaska on hunting and fishing trips.
If Ken wasn’t in the woods, he was in his garage woodworking and fixing anything he could, even leading up to his final days. He built lots of houses, camps, garages, and anything anyone wanted for friends and family.
Ken was the Father of the late Terri Thurston, and brother of the late Sally, Priscilla, Charles, and Owen “Dard”.
He is survived by his daughters; Gail Thurston, Brenda Atwater and son-in-law Harold, Lisa Thurston, and Melissa True and son-in-law, George. As well as his Grandchildren; Eric Parent, Shawn Parent, Heidi Levesque, Laura Parent, Daniel LaVallee, Dawn Cureton, Christopher Cureton, Audri Atwater, Katie Braly, Ariel Atwater, Haley True, and Logan True and five great-grandchildren.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Ken’s memorial visitation on Saturday, June 22, 2024 from 1-3 pm at The Fortin Group, 217 Turner St. Auburn, Maine. Burial at Pine Street Cemetery will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Ken’s memory can be made to:
Maine Cancer Foundation
