Robert Edwards Thornhill, Class of 1923.
Prepared by Thomas McMahon, Class of 1970
Robert Edward Thornhill was born in 1906 and died in 1961. He lived most all of his 55 years in Sayville. He attended Sayville public schools and graduated from Sayville High School in 1923. During his school years, he was often on the honor rolls and took part in many extracurricular activities and sports. He played basketball in high school and college. He was a track star excelling in sprints and jumping, again both in high school and college. After returning to Sayville he and his brother Sewell played a big part in the development and success of the Sayville Golf Club, both were excellent players.
After high school, Robert attended Wesleyan College receiving a BA in Philosophy. He then entered Cornell University and New York University to obtain a law degree.
After his law degree, Robert began a successful career with the law firm of Binghan, Engle, Jones &Houston in Manhattan. But here is where his story takes a turn.
The Thornhill family began their American story with Robert’s great grandfather Joseph and grandfather James arriving from England in 1835. Robert’s grandfather was only 5 years old. The two men had and developed careers in the carpenter’s trade. By the 1860s James Thornhill made his home in Wappinger Falls in upstate New York. James had 3 sons, one Sewell Thornhill was born in 1865*.
Sewell Thornhill would eventually attend New York’s College of Pharmacy. Sewell returned to Wappinger Falls and opened his first pharmacy. Andrews& Thornhills in 1890. That successful business, led Sewell to Sayville in 1896, Thornhills Pharmacy was opened.
Sewell married Louise Edwards in 1899. He had two sons, Sewell Jr. (1900) and Robert (1906).
The story of the Thornhill family is one of community service and business success.
It’s also a sad story of lives cut short and heartache. There are many contributions of both Sewell Sr. and Jr. that were made to the Sayville community. They both were pharmacists and community leaders.
They worked to develop the Sayville Golf Club, the Sayville Rotary, the Sayville Congregational Church, the Sayville Electric Company, and phone companies.
They volunteered in the Sayville sports club, the Boy Scouts as well as the Red Cross.
Sadly, they both died in terrible car accidents less than a year apart in 1931 and 1932, the father 66 and his son just 32. You could almost think Thornhill Pharmacy was cursed considering the manager, R.S. Rulon, who was placed in charge after the deaths, himself was involved in a serious car crash in upstate N.Y. in 1935. Fortunately, he survived and served many years as the manager of Thornhill’s Pharmacy.
Robert Thornhill, the Manhattan lawyer along with his mother, assumed ownership of Thornhills, Robert returned to Sayville and set up a law office above the pharmacy. His manager, Mr. Rulon took up the reins of the daily operations.
Robert had a very successful law career in Suffolk County, both in private practice and as the Clerk of the Suffolk County Surrogate Court
In 1942 World War II was beginning, Robert, joined the Coast Guard Reserves. He was sworn in as a Lieutenant and later would become a Lieutenant Commander on the USS Coast Guard Cutter Campbell. He started his career as a law officer but shortly began his training as an anti-submarine warfare Commander.
While on the “Campbell “ he and his crew sailed the North Atlantic from Newfoundland to England . They were on the hunt for submarines and provided support for convoys as they traveled across the Atlantic during the War
Robert served from 1942 – 1946 and retired as a Lieutenant Commander.
Returning to Sayville, Robert continued his law practice. He became involved in almost every aspect of civic life.
He served as a president of the Sayville Rotary Club, worked as treasurer of the Suffolk County Red Cross, chairmen of committee’s for the Sayville Congregational Church, worked with the local chapter of the Boy Scouts, served as a Director of the Board of Southside Hospital, Sayville Yacht Club, an owner of local businesses, and a lawyer
Robert married Mary Bennett in 1952 and had one daughter Susan.
On his death, a scholarship fund was set up at Wesleyan University and Sayville High School in the memory of his father and brother.
Life often takes turns we rarely foresee.
Robert rose to the occasion for his family, his country, and community.
Robert E. Thornhill 1906 -1961
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