U.S. Army Signal Corps veteran served in World War II

Published October 23, 2019

LYNNFIELD — Richard H. Thorngren, 95, of Lynnfield, died on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019 after a period of declining health.  

Richard was born Nov. 10, 1923 in Whitinsville and was the only child of Henry and Gerda (Erickson) Thorngren. The family moved to Lynn and lived in the then heavily Swedish Pine Hill section of the city. He was a 1940 graduate of Lynn Classical High School.

During World War II, he was in the Army Signal Corps and spent two years overseas in the Middle East, North Africa and Europe. In 1948, he married his sweetheart Martha Gale of Lynn. They lived for a time in New York State while he attended Syracuse University, where he graduated in 1949 with a bachelor of science degree in Accounting, summa cum laude. Richard and Martha eventually returned to Massachusetts and lived for a time in Lynn before moving to the old Daniel Mansfield House on Salem St. in Lynnfield, where they lived and raised their children, Ingrid and Richard Jr. His wife Martha predeceased him in 2001.  

Richard worked as a CPA and was the controller and then the internal auditor for Tufts University. He retired in 1985 after 25 years of service. After retirement, he continued working at his own business as a tax accountant, only giving it up in 2011 at age 88 due to failing eyesight.  

He served as water commissioner for the Lynnfield Water District and also served in numerous other posts for the town in Lynnfield. He was a lifelong member of the Lynnfield Masonic Lodge and was a member of the Aleppo Temple. He has been a longtime and beloved member of the Lynnfield Community Church.  

Richard is survived by his daughter Ingrid Gordon and her husband Paul of Portland, Oregon; his son Richard Jr. of Manchester, New Hampshire; and cousins Christine Moore and Ann MacNeil of Rockport. He also leaves behind numerous friends and neighbors who were like family to him, especially during his later years: Tim and Christine Reardon, Kerrie and Ranae Coleman, Rachelle Doherty, Gary Landess and Mike Anderson.  

Visiting hours were held on Tuesday, Oct. 22 in the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington St., Gloucester. Family and friends were cordially invited. Burial took place on Wednesday Oct. 23 in the Locust Grove Cemetery, 104 Langsford Street, in the Lanesville section of Gloucester. Memorial gifts may be made to the Lynnfield Community Church, 735 Salem Street, Lynnfield MA 01940. Online condolences may be given at www.greelyfuneralhome.com.