Edmund D. Thornton, died peacefully at his home in Wynnewood, PA, January 4, 2023, in the presence of his beloved wife, Susan.

He was a proud veteran with six years of service in the US Army.

Following a successful career as an Account Supervisor in Public Relations at J. Walter Thompson Advertising, Ed served in senior management positions in the non-profit sector over the next 27 years. He was the Executive Vice President of the Illinois Life Underwriters Association for 11 years. During that time he created a building fund campaign with the theme "Yes We Can". He later served as the Administrative Director for the Million Dollar Round Table in Chicago, and then as Executive Vice President of the National Association of Health Underwriters in Washington, DC. In 1984, he became the Senior Vice President for the American Society of Chartered Life Underwriters (ASCLU), and in 1992 he began working as the Director of Special Projects for Resources for Human Development in Philadelphia.

Responding to an internal need to try something different, in 1997 Ed created Dependable Drivers Associates, a small car service. Over the following 20 years, as the owner and manager of DDA, he safely drove clients over one million miles - to New York City, Washington DC, Bar Harbor, Maine, around Philadelphia, and many other locations. This was a role he really enjoyed, and it was a perfect fit for Ed's helpful, generous personality.

For the last 25 years of his life, Ed held elder positions in the global community of The ManKind Project - the world's largest network of peer-supported groups for men. As a counselor, mentor, and friend, his good nature and integrity were a special gift to others, especially younger men. As part of his mission to encourage those he met, Ed created the little cards that say "Be Gentle With Yourself". He gave these cards to everyone he encountered, and they have been shared around the world.

His passion for jazz and movies started in childhood when, at the age of 12, he started working at the Tivoli movie theater, along with his 3 older brothers.

With his brother, Bill, Ed spent many nights in Chicago clubs, where he was introduced to the exciting world of jazz, watching Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and many others. His boyhood job working in movie theaters was reminiscent of the film, "Cafe Paradiso". His love of film and music continued throughout his life.

Ed attended Northwestern University in Chicago and is a graduate of the Institute for Organization Management at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend Indiana.

He was the 4th of 6 children born to Mary and William D. Thornton of Cork, Ireland. He was very proud of his Irish heritage. He was born and raised in Mishawaka, Indiana. Ed was predeceased by all of his siblings. Surviving are two sisters-in-law, one brother-in-law and many nieces and nephews.

Seventeen years ago, Ed married Susan E. Leonard. They created a peaceful life together in the suburbs of Philadelphia. Susan and Ed's loving relationship and mutually supportive partnership was celebrated in two books: "Autumn Romance - Stories and Portraits of Love after 50" by Carol Denker, and "As Time Goes By" by Abigail Trafford. Through these pages their story will continue to inspire and encourage readers to seek true love even in their later years. Susan provided dedicated care for Ed through all his medical challenges over the past 2 years In addition, Ed is survived by Susan's son, Justin Leonard, and her three grandchildren: Kolbe, Ada, and Greg Leonard. He will be dearly remembered and deeply missed by all his family and friends.

A Celebration of Ed Thornton's Life will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2023, 2:00 pm, at WellSprings Congregation, 1141 Kimberton Road, Chester Springs, PA 19424. Interment is private

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to WellSprings Congregation, 47 Marchwood Road, Suite 2A-2, Exton, PA 19341.