Joseph " Joe " Thornton (13 Feb 1941 - 18 Feb 2020)

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Joseph " Joe "Cancer Research UK

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Location
Basildon Crematorium Church Road Basildon SS13 2HG
Date
5th Mar 2020
Time
3pm
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In loving memory of Joseph " Joe " Thornton who sadly passed away on 18th February 2020 in the arms of his loving wife, Valerie. It was his second battle against Cancer, but unfortunately one which he would lose. He had been in remission from treatment to the bladder since 2016. He did not have a chance to start Chemotherapy this time round and towards the end he opted to go naturally. Uncle Joe left us with a cheeky grin on his face one which we would all relate to and one I will never forget. He had said his goodbyes to all his family and friends and had been blessed by the minister before he went on his journey. He did not give up the battle, but instead did everything the doctors had asked from him (no matter how difficult) until they gave him the option to go peacefully.
Uncle Joe was an organised person and left all his estate and funeral arrangements organised for Valerie, so that there were no complications and so that the family and friends could mourn in peace and celebrate his life!

A little bit about Joe who was an excellent Husband, Father, Brother, Granddad, Uncle, and Friend
(Spoken by the man himself):
"I was born in Newcastle on the 13th February 1941, and raised in Dunston, Gateshead. I left school aged 15 years old, in April 1956, and started work on the railway as a messenger boy, and worked through various grades, finally becoming a railway signalman.
Some years later, I met Valerie, and we married in 1967, and we lived in both East and South Tyneside. Later, we decided to foster twin boys, Edward and Michael, when they were very young. They have been happily part of our family ever since.
In 1973, I was promoted in my job to London Kings Cross from Newcastle and lived in railway hostel accommodation for a while. Later, I decided to move the family to Canvey Island from Newcastle, where we bought our first house. In the later years Edward and Michael married and now have their own families here on Canvey.
In the meant time, we did for a while, have our nephew Stephen from South Africa, come to live with us. His girlfriend Kerry also moved in with us until themselves married and moved to their own home, and now have their own family.
After I had retired I still stayed in contact with my railway friends and enjoyed meeting at conferences, meetings and many great events. I used to enjoy going to the Christmas events and unfortunately was not well enough to make the last one. I also joined Phoenix karate club and this became a part of my life for many years. The team, under Cheri, were very supportive over the years and I always felt welcome and part of their family. Was great to have trained with Steve, Michael and then Edward over the years too. The club kept my body and mind in good health and formed a large part of my social life too. I built some very close relationships with friends down the Oysterfleet Hotel, Wind Jammer, Conservative Club, Corner Club, Haystack, Saks amongst others and have always treasured the good times spent with friends and families there. Thank you everyone for everything. Joe"

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John Gill posted a picture
Happy memory of afternoon Tea @ Kavanaghs Tea Rooms in Beverley with Stephen Loeber, Joe Thornton & John Gill on the 25th ‎February ‎2017.

Happy memory of afternoon Tea @ Kavanaghs Tea Rooms in Beverley with Stephen Loeber, Joe Thornton & John Gill on the 25th ‎February ‎2017.

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John Gill donated £50 in memory of Joseph

Joe was one of the nicest, kindest people you could meet. I've been on a number of railway trips around the UK with Joe and other railwaymen. I know that we will all miss Joe greatly and our thoughts are with his family. RIP Joe

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Kerry & Mark Clothier donated £20 in memory of Joseph
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Jemma Villalard wrote

Joe it was pleasure knowing you. A truly kind hearted, honest and determined man who achieved many wonderful things in his life. Edward and mikki will miss there grandad dearly .Keep them on there toes up there joe .Sorry I can not be there tomorrow, my love and thoughts are with you val and all the family .xx

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Lesley Van Niekerk wrote

Dud and I will be thinking of you all tomorrow when you say your final goodbye to Uncle Joe. He was a special man in our lives and I am so glad that I was able to see him before he left us.
You are now at peace and with our Father in Heaven🙏
Uncle Joe I have known you for nearly 60 years and have such wonderful memories of you and Aunty Val over the years. But the biggest gift you gave us was taking in our son Steve, when he moved to UK. You took him under your wing and treated like your son. We will never forget that. I know that Steve will watch over aunty Val for you and make sure she is ok.
R.I.P we will miss you a lot. Our trips to UK will be different with you not around.
God bless you , you are Home.
All our love
Dud and Les (all all the family
💓

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Jane Reynolds posted a picture
RIP Joe 👊🏻🥋👊🏻 you were and always will be thought of and loved with the highest respect x you were and always will be an inspiration to karate 👊🏻🥋👊🏻

RIP Joe 👊🏻🥋👊🏻 you were and always will be thought of and loved with the highest respect x you were and always will be an inspiration to karate 👊🏻🥋👊🏻

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Karen, CJ and Danny Daykin donated in memory of Joseph

Joe - i know you are now at peace and free of pain, and i want to thank you for just being part of the lives of my sons and myself. You always had time for a chat about how we all were doing and reminisicing about your life with us. You were a truly amazing gentleman, tenacious, patient, stubborn and caring. Whether you were telling us off for going too easy on you in Karate, or asking about personal issues such as life, work and loves. You always had time for us and i will miss our chats greatly. Thank you Joe.
Deepest love and sympathy to the whole family.

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Helen Jefford donated £10 in memory of Joseph

Thinking of you Uncle Joe xx sending love to all your family xxx

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Craig Ball wrote

RIP Joe

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Darren Powell donated £20 in memory of Joseph
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Steve Gwinnett donated £30 in memory of Joseph

Dear Joe,
Always working in London, I knew of you from probably when your work also brought you 'up to the smoke', presumably your starting at Goods & Mineral signal box perhaps, but it was my later decade in King's Cross main Box when we were to meet and work together.
What an unassuming, patient, gentle, helpful man, but never afraid of putting your point forward if you felt something wasn't right.
And I certainly missed your excellent cooking when I moved on in '89.
You've earned a good, favourable journey (including karate?) in your next life.
So all the very best to you in that. You'll unquestionably be missed.
SG

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  • Joe, (.... and being interested in signalling, I much appreciated your memories of when a booking lad' in King Edward Bridge signal box, Gateshead/Newcastle ! )

    Posted by Steve on 2/03/2020 Report abuse
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Steve Gwinnett is attending the funeral
David Reynolds donated £30 in memory of Joseph

God bless you, Joe. A pleasure to have known you and worked with you. I often recall those Saturday morning kippers when I occasionally have them now. You were a railwayman before I was born. Now you have been called to special relief above.

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Stephen Loeber is attending the funeral
Dave Rix is attending the funeral
Dave Rix donated in memory of Joseph

It was a pleasure knowing you Joe, you were the one person who helped me through a difficult patch in my career and I forever thank you for that. You are a legend not only for your good nature charm and wit but those gut busting meals you use to cook us at Kings Cross! Rest in peace my friend and you will be forever in my thoughts

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Craig Smith is attending the funeral
Stephen Loeber donated £30 in memory of Joseph
Joe, Alan and me on one of our trips out, this occasion is was to Henley-on-Thames. A great workmate and friend. RIP Joes 7-5-5.

Joe, Alan and me on one of our trips out, this occasion is was to Henley-on-Thames. A great workmate and friend. RIP Joes 7-5-5.

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Kerry Van Niekerk is attending the funeral
Peter Page donated in memory of Joseph

God bless you Joe. It is a privilege and a pleasure to have known you.

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Peter Page is attending the funeral
Adrian Emerson donated £30 in memory of Joseph

What an absolute pleasure and privilege to have know Joe, many kind words of advice over our years working together at Kings Cross PSB, along with a few drunken words during our social events... ah and the meals Joe used to cook at Kings Cross, Ramsey and co eat your heart out!!

Joe you were truly a perfect gentlemen, and will be dearly missed.

RIP Joe,

Adrian

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Adrian Emerson is attending the funeral
Mark Smith is attending the funeral
Chris Waterman donated £20 in memory of Joseph

RIP Joe, a great guy - it's been a pleasure being your friend.

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Stephen Van Niekerk is attending the funeral
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