As President of Thorp & Trainer Insurance Agency, I want to let you know about the passing of my father, Neil Thorp, our Chairman and past President.
As his son, I know how much Thorp & Trainer has meant to our family for generations, and while my father had been retired from the agency for several years, his impact on me and much of our staff, as well as countless people in the community, will not soon be forgotten.
My father died unexpectedly on Sunday, October 2, 2022, at home, with his wife of 58 years, my mother, Diana Thorp, by his side. He lived an extraordinary life filled with business and family success.
He was born on September 7, 1939, to Nelson and Merle Thorp. He graduated from Westerly High School in 1957 and from the University of Rhode Island in 1961. He went on to serve his country proudly in the United States Army Infantry earning the rank of Captain.
He eventually went into our family-owned business that was started by his grandfather, Howard E. Thorp, over 100 years ago. In addition to serving as president for three decades, he also served on the Board of the Washington Trust Company until retiring in 2009.
Committed to serving the community, he was a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason and member of the Master Masons of Franklin Lodge in Westerly. He served as Master of the Lodge in 1971 and was the oldest living Past Master. He also was a member of the Westerly Lions Club and co-chair of the Lions Club Youth Exchange Program.
In addition to being an avid boater, fisherman, and a life member of the Westerly Yacht Club, my father had a lifelong love of gardening, planting, and tending to his fruit trees.
He will be sadly missed by me, my mom, my sister Jennifer, and her husband John. He was a wonderful grandfather to Kieran, Ian, Rhys, Hannah, and Emily. He also leaves his sister, Sandra, and her husband, William.
I believe my father would have been proud of the service we had for him at River Bend Cemetery, which included full military honors and a Scottish Rite Mason ceremony.
My dad will be missed by all who were touched by him, but his memory and devotion will continue on at Thorp & Trainer and in the community.
Sincerely,
Howard Thorp