Obituary of Roger James McElrea Thorne

The little engine that could

Peacefully in Southampton Hospital on Saturday March 7th, 2026. Predeceased by beloved wife Bonnie Thorne (Ashwell) married for 63 years also predeceased by son Christopher. Beloved Father, Ronald (Judy), Jay (Deborah). and grandfather to Ryan (Cammy), Amanda, Brian and Caitlin(Dan), and great grandfather to Brin, Ashton, Yanisa, Dorothy and George, all of British Columbia. 

Beloved oldest brother to Elaine (Nova Scotia), Willard & Sharon (St Catherines), Janet & Gary (Sudbury), Anne & John (Paisley), and sisters in law Sandra (Owen Sound), Helen (New Market), Cathleen (Owen Sound) and Brenda (Tara). Predeceased by sister Helen, brothers George, Douglas, Brian , Bruce, Lawrence. Also Survived by sister in law Ruth Pearson and husband Rob of Meaford. Predeceased by brothers and sisters in law Bill & Marilyn Ashwell and Don & June Ashwell.

Roger was born almost 90 years ago on May 8, 1936 in Willowbunch Saskatchewan. Together with his parents and grandparents moved to Tara Ontario at 1 year old, and remained in Tara area for his entire life. Along with his beloved wife, Bonnie he bought farmland from his Dad where he built his family home and farm. This is where they raised their three boys, Forever a farmer Roger would come home from work and hop on the tractor still dressed in his business attire, to the chagrin of wife Bonnie on wash day. Eventually Roger and Bonnie sold the farm and bought a home on the river in Tara where he continued to be active in the community. Roger left school early to work the family farm. Each of his sons went through to earn post secondary degrees, which Roger was very proud of.
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Roger was deeply involved in the community. As a Rotary International member he was a driving force behind many projects including the community pool and the Tara Rotary Riverside Park. For many years he towed a water tank of water with his lawn tractor to keep the flowers watered on Main Street. He also built a BBQ trailer which catered many local events. For fun Roger would attend plowing matches around Ontario, and took to rambling through the countryside in his retirement, to keep tabs on the local agriculture scene from planting through to harvest.

He was the recipient of the Tommy CooperAward for “Outstanding Contributions to Agriculture” Roger had just received his 60 year member pin of “The Order of FreeMasons”, Masonic Lodge # 362.

Please join us to celebrate Roger‘s life at the Roger Thorne pavilion in Tara Rotary Riverside Park on Saturday, May 9 from 1 to 4 PM. Cremation has taken place and internment will take place in Tara Cemetery. Memorial donations to the Heart and Stroke foundation of Canada would be appreciated by the family online condolences may be left at www.funeraloptions.ca.