SHOREHAM—Harmon Franklin Thurston passed away on August 3, 2022, at Porter Hospital in Middlebury, Vermont.
He was a fun, energetic, generous man devoted to his family, friends, and employees who influenced and touched many people throughout his life.
He was born March 4, 1926, on the family farm in North Rumford, Me, to Lee Joel Thurston and Edith Martin Thurston. He was the youngest of 11 children.
His family loved hearing his stories about growing up on the farm, visiting his father’s logging camps, and going to a one-room schoolhouse.
He joined the Army at age 17 and was stationed in India during World War II. After the war, he went to the University of Maine and earned a Forestry degree.
He married the love of his life, Maxine Dresser Thurston, in 1954. After a short stay in Oregon, they moved to Vermont and started raising their family of four children. They were married for 59 years before she passed away in June 2013.
In 1960, they started New England Woodcraft, a furniture company that is still in operation. He was very devoted to the employees, many of whom worked for him for over 40 years.
In 1996, they moved “out” to the farm in Shoreham, where many evenings were enjoyed on the porch with friends and family.
He loved his family and heartily supported their many projects over the years. They relish many fond memories of skiing, picnics at Branbury Beach, hiking, traveling, and family gatherings.
He had a great sense of humor and was known for a good laugh. He loved dancing, designing furniture, tending his flower gardens, and baked beans.
He is survived by his son Lee Thurston and his wife Susan of Grass Valley, Ca; daughter Lynn Thurston and her wife Janice of Scarborough, Me; son Charles Thurston and his late wife Martha, who passed in February 2022; son Jeff Thurston and his wife Michele of Whiting; seven grandchildren: Everett, Pierce, Mackenzie, Emmett, Avery, Payton, and Grant Thurston; three great grand-children: Eldon, Ada, and Raegan; his brother Marlin Thurston of Peru, Me; his sisters-in-law: Joyce Birch of Glen Allen, Va and Frances Kerchner of Wellesley, Ma., as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family would like to acknowledge and thank “Healthcare Angels,” Julie Lonergan, Rachel Chartrand, and the staff from the Residence at Otter Creek, whose attention to his needs was a source of immeasurable support for him and the family.
The family hopes you can join them on the farm at 2973 Hemenway Hill in Shoreham to celebrate Harmon’s life on September 17 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., with stories at 3 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please consider planting a tree or doing a small kindness for somebody in need.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Miller & Ketcham Funeral Home in Brandon.
