William R. Thurston

William R. Thurston   1921-2024

 Citizen of Note, founder of Cancer Support Center, President of hi-tech company

William (Bill) Thurston, JR., 102, a long-time former resident of Harvard, MA, died peacefully on April 6, 2024 at his assisted living home at The Commons in Lincoln, MA

Born August 31, 1921 in Brooklyn, NY to Estelle O’Brien and William Thurston SR, he graduated from high school in Connecticut and went on to college at MIT in Boston. With a 50% scholarship, admission to the MIT Student House, and acceptance as a co-op student at the General Radio Company (GR) in Cambridge, Bill was able to complete his BS before WWII intervened.  As a result of Bill’s co-op work at GR and the Navy’s refusal due to colorblindness, GR requested that his war service be at the MIT Radiation Laboratory where much of the radar technology being used in the war effort was being developed. This work became the foundation of the AWACS and stealth technology today. Following the war, Bill continued to work for GR and to pursue his Masters. Bill retired from GR in 1987 after 50 years, his last 15 years were as President and CEO.

In the late 1940’s, Bill was invited to attend the wedding of a former girlfriend and there he met a bridesmaid Ginny Doyle who became his wife in June 1948. They started their family in Teaneck, NJ and in 1955 GR transferred Bill to the Concord, MA office which brought them to the town of Harvard to raise their four children: Chris, Janet, Mark, and Bob.

Bill leaped into volunteering on a variety of committees and task forces as the Town of Harvard was growing – his goal was to provide his children with the best education and growing up experience possible. Starting with the Village Nursery School, and explorations of school regionalization, Bill eventually chaired the School Building Committee and was an integral part of the Bromfield High School, and later the Middle School, Planning and Building Committees. He also served as a member of the Bromfield School Council, the Substance Abuse Prevention Task Force, and on the Committee for Adequate Funding. Bill took great pride in being a founding member of the Harvard School Trust which continues to be an important financial resource for the schools.

For many summers, Bill and Ginny took their four children on cross-country camping trips with his creatively designed camping trailer and car-top carrier allowing them to experience the vast beauty of this country and its national parks. After many years with family fun in sailboat, rowboat, and powerboat, at their “Lakeland” on Bare Hill Pond, it was their wish to provide a beach access to the pond for all to enjoy so they donated the 3-acre Lakeland to the Harvard Conservation Commission.

When Bill’s children began presenting him with grandchildren, he and Ginny started planning for summer visits. The digging of a backyard pool at their Bolton Road home led to the creation of garden areas throughout their property – what Ginny envisioned, Bill mounted his Bobcat tractor and engineered, ultimately creating several acres of flower niches, fountains, and a koi pond where they would walk each evening to feed the fish.

Many of the older grandchildren, in addition to time spent in “Grampa’s pool,” well-remember the summer weeks at Three Mile Island, an AMC camp on Lake Winnipesaukee. With multiple grandchildren sharing cabins with Grampa and Grandma, they all enjoyed the week of rustic living. After the week with grandchildren, Bill and his wife would spend a second week at Echo Lake AMC camp hiking, exploring, and making memories in the Acadia area.

Following his wife’s other interests, Bill became an avid reader and participant in Great Books. In addition to the local chapter, Bill and Ginny traveled to the Poconos and Colby College for the annual gatherings where they developed lifelong friendships and many stories.

In 1999, after losing Ginny to breast cancer, Bill created The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden, Inc to provide service, support, comfort, and inspiration to those dealing with cancer and to their caregivers. The Garden which opened in Spring 2001, has been an ongoing, ever growing venture helping thousands.

Later in 2001, the Mediation Garden area was host to the wedding celebration of Bill and Patricia Dealy Ladd. With Bill’s four and Pat’s seven children (and spouses and grandchildren) in attendance, with rows of flowers blooming all around, it was a celebration of new beginnings. After four years in Harvard, they moved to the San Diego, CA area for the weather and to be closer to one of Pat’s daughters. They remained there until Pat’s passing December 6, 2016.

Bill then moved back east to be closer to and have greater access to more children (and bonus children) and he took up residence at a condo in Concord where he remained until one month before his 100^th birthday which was celebrated at his new residence at The Commons Assisted Living.

Bill will always be remembered at GR, in the community, and even in his last residence, for his generosity and for taking the time to learn names and know the people – he engineered with his heart.

Bill was predeceased by his wife of 51 years, Ginny; by his second wife of 15 years, Pat; by his son, Mark; and his son-in-law Ron, as well as three stepchildren: Norman, Patty, and Carrie. He is survived by two daughters, Christine and Janet; by his son, Bob; and four stepchildren: Betsey, Jim, Chris, and Susan, along with their spouses, 29 grandchildren and several great grandchildren all grateful to have called him Dad, Grampa, Great Grampa, and “Bonus-Parent”

We invite you to a celebration of Bill’s life on Saturday, May 4, 2024 from 2-5 pm at the Virginia Thurston Healing Garden and Cancer Support Center at 145 Bolton Road, Harvard, MA.

Casual conversation, shared stories, light refreshments and a chance to visit the gardens are the plan of the day. Comfortable dress appropriate for the weather is welcome. Burial will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to:  The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden and Cancer Support Center