Fr. Richard Thornton C.S.Sp.

So sad to hear of the death of Fr Dick. His mother ( Nell) and my grandmother were sisters and I remember his ordination in their home in Kennelworth square I would guess about 1950. Alas,we lost touch over the years but I often thought about him.
Rip.

We were so sad to hear of Father Thornton's death and extend our condolences to his family and his community at Blackrock College. Father Dick as he was known to us played a massive part in our lives. We grew up in Malawi and used to go to mass in Limbe Cathedral and hear his voice echoing through the big cathedral at 5pm mass on a Sunday. Often sunburnt and tired on our way home after a weekend at the lake or on our way back after a Sunday lunch with friends. He christened my sisters who were born in Malawi and in later years married my husband and I in Glasthule Church and my sister Veronica and her husband Ed, he even christened their eldest. Most recently he presided over our father's funeral in July. We are still reeling in shock over his untimely death and Father Dick was a great support to our family in the final days when we would see him at Dad's bedside at the Blackrock clinic or at the canteen for coffee. All shaking our heads at the suddenness of Dad's decline into illness and ultimately his death. He will be missed by our family and friends who remember him with great fondness. A wise man who was a friend to the end. He will be sadly missed. Rebecca Knapp (nee Wrixon) and family