Obituary of Paul Miles Thornbury

Paul Miles Thornbury, 79, of Olean, passed away on Tuesday, September 27, 2016, shortly after arrival at the Olean General Hospital, following a short illness. Paul was born July 18, 1937 in Olean and was the son of Thelma Miles Tormey and Howard Thornbury. Paul was raised by his mother and his stepfather, Dr. Harold J. Tormey. He married Lorna Sandy and they celebrated their 55 wedding anniversary on Sept. 1, 2016. Paul graduated from Olean High School in 1955, where he was on the winning basketball team in 1953-1954. He served honorably with the U.S. Air Force for 4 years from Oct. 13, 1955 to Oct. 12, 1959. While serving in the Air Force, Paul also played on a winning Air Force basketball team, which took many championship titles during his 4 years. He was employed at Olean Wholesale grocery Co-op Inc. for 36 years, retiring in 1999. Paul was a member of St. Mary of the Angels Church, where he served as an usher for many years. Paul enjoyed all sport, particularly basketball and softball. He played fast pitch softball for most of his life. Paul later became a girl's high school softball umpire for Cattaraugus County, as well as an IAABO basketball referee for both boy's and girl's high school basketball. He loved to watch his children and grandchildren in all sporting events, and he was especially proud of all of their academic achievements. Some of Paul's hobbies include riding his motorcycle, canoeing, fishing, refereeing at the Gus Macker tournament, and walking his cat, Macky. Along with his loving wife, Lorna, Paul is survived by a son, Paul (Soraya) Thornbury of Hollywood, FL; a daughter, Suzy (George) Broadbent of Olean; and two grandchildren, Alicia and Geoffrey Broadbent. Paul was predeceased by his parents and stepfather; and a sister, Angela Robinson Hastrich, who died April 6, 2006. Friends will be received at the St. Mary of the Angels Church, #202 South Union Street, Olean on Monday, Oct. 3, 2016 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held in the church at 2:00 pm. The Rev. David E. Tourville, Pastor, will celebrate. Arrangements are under the direction of the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc., #646 E. State St., Olean. In lieu of flowers Memorials, in Memory of Paul Thornbury, may be made to the Cattaraugus County IAABO Scholarship to benefit Cattaraugus County Athletes, C/O Mr. Walt Zeznick, #815 Tracey Street, Olean, New York 14760 or to the Cattaraugus County SPCA, #2944 Route 19 North, Olean, New York 14760. Online condolences may be made by clicking the button above.