Obituary of Lyle M Thornbloom

Lyle M. Thornbloom, 85, of Liberty Corner, NJ, passed away peacefully in his sleep on November 9, 2013. Born in Buffalo, he was a former resident of Bayport, Long Island, NY, and lived in Liberty Corner for the past 17 years. He served in the U.S. Army in Korea before attending Allegheny College, in Meadville, PA, where he received a bachelor of arts degree in history. He taught 4th grade in Bellport, NY, for 25 years. After retiring from his teaching position he worked in a nursery in Sayville, NY, where he sang to the roses at night to help them grow. His love of singing began when he was a child performing with the St. Paul’s Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys in Buffalo. He would continue to sing with church choirs and community choral groups for the rest of his life. As a young man, he demonstrated the dedication and discipline necessary to become an Eagle Scout. Through the years he traveled the world, and his appreciation for the natural beauty surrounding us, and his desire to get out into the great outdoors, never diminished. He is survived by his daughters Kristin Pritchett, and her husband, Thomas, of Summerville, SC; Gretchen Ciavaglia, and her husband, James, of Emerson, NJ; and Lisa Thornbloom of Forest Hills, NY. He was the grandfather of Morgan Pritchett, and Craig, Jeffrey, Tracy, Eric, and Brian Ciavaglia. He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Sally. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, November 21, at the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church, 1 East Oak St., Basking Ridge, NJ. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory to Marion Medical Mission, 1412 Shawnee Drive, Marion, IL 62959 (marionmedical.org), would be appreciated. Arrangements are by Gallaway and Crane Funeral Home of Basking Ridge. For more information please call the Funeral Home at 908-766-0250 or to light an online condolence candle visit our website www.gcfuneralhome.com.