AUBURN – Allan R. Thurston, 91, a resident of Auburn, went to be with the Lord on Friday, April 10, at Clover Manor Health Care following a long illness.

He was born in Bethel, Jan. 14, 1918, the son of Robert B. and Ada (Warren) Thurston.

Allan attended Auburn schools and was a 1938 graduate of Edward Little High School. He continued his education at Devry Technical Institute. Following his education he began his career with Central Maine Power in 1938, until his retirement in 1980.

During World War II, Allan served as a PFC, 1st Infantry Division, 16th Infantry Regiment 3rd Battalion Headquarters Company, serving in Sicily, Normandy, Beachhead in France, Belgium, Germany, Czechoslovakia, was wounded in North Africa, and was honorably discharged in August 1945.

After the war he continued his career with Central Maine Power, and also side-lined as a TV repairman owning his own business.

He was an active member of Court Street Baptist Church. He served on several church boards, and had served as an usher, and operated the church stairway chair lift. He was also a gifted wood craftsman who made furniture for family members as well as for his church. He was past commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

Following retirement, both he and his wife, Rose, traveled extensively by travel trailer across the United States and Canada. His hobbies included model railroading, and was instrumental in beginning a local chapter of model railroaders as well as the New England Model Railroading Show, which has become an annual event.

Survivors include the love of his life, the former Rose E. Tufts, whom he married June 29, 1946 of Auburn; three daughters, Barbara Jean Fisher of Greene, Margaret Ellen Vining and husband, Merton, of Turner and Nancy Alice Pomeroy and husband, Reginald, of Hebron; one grandson, Michael John Pomeroy and companion, Rebecca Donovan, of Claremont, N.H.; two stepgranddaughters, Kelly Vining and husband, Kevin Ronkko, of Oregon, and Melissa Stundick and husband,Walter, of Baltimore, Md,; and one stepgreat-granddaughter, Taylor Stundick.