Marlin Lawrence Thurston Sr.

PERU – Marlin Lawrence Thurston, Sr.,101, a resident of Peru, passed away on Sunday June 9, 2024, at the Sandy River Center in Farmington, just short of his 102nd birthday. Marlin was born in Rumford, Maine on June 21, 1922, the son of Lee and Edith (Martin) Thurston. He was privileged to grow up in a large family, where he learned respect for hard work, frugality, and love for family.

Marlin was a graduate of Stephens High School. In 1941 he married Ethelyn Stetson, and they were a team until her death in 2004.

It has been said that “He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much…Who has filled his niche and accomplished his task…Whose life was an inspiration; Whose memory a benediction.”

This is such an apt description of Marlin as a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, soon to be great-great grandfather. He loved his family dearly and took pride in all of their accomplishments. Beyond family, he was respected in the community and among friends. Some in the community have dubbed him a legend in his time.

Marlin was a World War II Combat Veteran, having served in the Philippines and was awarded the Bronze Medal of Valor. After the war, Marlin and his family bought a farm in Peru, where he filled his niche, working the land he loved as a farmer and woodsman. Together with his family, he operated a successful dairy farm for many years. Later in life, he and Ethelyn started a maple syrup business which continues today. His love for the forest never left him as he practiced the skills he had learned as a boy with his beloved horses (which he eventually and reluctantly traded for a tractor) on the land in Peru. He could be found on a tractor in his nineties, still helping with the hay harvest. He was a hard worker and instilled a strong work ethic in his children.

Marlin belonged to the Tree Farm Association and was chosen to be Oxford County Tree Farmer of the year in 1963, as well as runner-up for Maine’s Tree Farmer of the Year. One of the things he was most proud of was donating a parcel of land to the University of Maine to be used in forestry research and practice.

Anyone who knew Marlin will always remember his stories. There was nothing he loved more than a captive audience, where he related many stories about life as it was in the 1920’s and 30’s, especially stories about his father’s logging camps. He had a keen mind right up to the end, and his memory of those times was amazing, even to naming people who worked at the camps and names of horses, as if his audience would know them.

There was also time for relaxation. He and Ethelyn enjoyed many years of square dancing, and they spent what time they could at their camp at Concord Pond. In the winter they could be found covering the trails on their snowmobiles. In later years they traveled near and far with their camper. He also enjoyed several hobbies: collecting bells, tools, making carvings, and reading. When he became a widower, he taught himself culinary skills, making his own meals (especially baked beans) and baking a mean apple pie which he proudly shared with family.

Marlin always seemed ready with a witty remark or two. Sometime before his 100th birthday, he was asked what he attributed his long life to. His answer, “I haven’t died.”

The last years were difficult for him as he was no longer able to work as he had before. He was the last of his immediate family, the end of an era. He definitely was a legend, and he leaves quite the legacy, he certainly achieved success in the true meaning of the word.

Marlin was predeceased by his wife, Ethelyn; his parents; and all nine of his siblings. He is survived by two sons and a daughter, Wayne Thurston and wife Adelia of Peru, Larry Thurston and wife Nancy of Augusta, Louise Kangas and husband Richard of Bryant Pond; eight grandchildren, Cheryl Thurston Lackemacher (Mike), Clifton Thurston (Sara), James Thurston (Karolyn), Randall Kangas (Becky), Sharon Kangas (Sam), Martin Thurston (June), Stephanie Legasse (Tony), and Rhoden Thurston. He is also survived by 13 great grandchildren and a soon to be great-great grandson.

The family wishes to thank the team at Sandy River for the excellent care he received during the months he was there. He made several new friends, had lots of visitors, and spoke highly of the staff.

Friends and family are invited to share memories with the family at http://www.meaderanandson.com. Graveside services will be held on Friday, July 12,1:00 p.m. at the Dickvale Cemetery in Peru. Arrangements are under the direction of the Meader & Son Funeral Home, 3 Franklin St. Rumford, ME.

Anyone wishing to honor Marlin’s memory with a donation may consider the:

Maine Tree Farm Program

535 Civic Center Dr.

Augusta, ME 04330