Col. George Patrick Thorne, USAR, Ret., age 90, of Charleston, South Carolina, died February 15, 2012. He was born September 16, 1921 in Savannah, Georgia. He was the President and Director of Carolina Ladder Company and Vice President and Director of Woodstock Manufacturing Company. He was also a founder and Director of Safestep Reinsurance, Ltd, and a past Secretary of the American Ladder Institute. He graduated from The Citadel in 1942 and served his country during World War II in the U.S. and the European theater of operations. He also served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1946 – 1974, retiring with the rank of Colonel. His last assignment was as Assistant Chief of Staff G-2, 120th Army Reserve Command, Fort Jackson. Colonel Thorne was also involved in civic and charitable organizations. He was active in the Trident Chamber of Commerce, past chairman of the Military Affairs Committee, served on the boards of the United Way and Catholic Charities, was a member and past President of the Charleston Lions Club. He was a life member of the Navy League of the United States, served as past President and Chairman of the Charleston Council, was a member and past Secretary of the Hibernian Society, served for 10 years, and was a past Chairman of the Board of the City of Charleston Firemasters. Col Thorne was a life member of the Reserve Officer Association and the Citadel Alumni Association, was a member of the Citadel Development Foundation, The Association for the Blind, Charleston Citadel Club, and Bishop England High School Alumni Association. For many years, he was a member of Blessed Sacrament Church where he was an usher. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Louise Ivie Thorne, his daughters Dr. Diana L. Thorne, Donna M. Thorne (Will Shrader), and his devoted son, James P. Thorne, brother Thomas J. Thorne and grandchildren Amanda Kerr, Alex Kerr, Betsy Shrader and Matt Shrader. A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 18 at 3PM at the chapel at Bishop Gadsden with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the Bishop Gadsden Residents fund, One Gadsden Way, Charleston, SC 29412. The Thorne family wishes to sincerely thank the entire Bishop Gadsden staff for their love, care, and compassion. George’s guestbook may be signed online at www.jamesamcalister.com. Arrangements by JAMES A. MCALISTER Funerals & Cremation. 766-1365. Visit our guestbook at www.postandcourier.com/ deaths. Tags: 1942
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