PUTNAM - William J. "Will" Thurston, 39, of 65 Laurel St. Putnam, died Jan. 29, 2009 in Putnam in the comfort of his loving wife Debby.
He was born July 11, 1969 in New London, the son of Sharon (Swan) Thurston of Canterbury and Alvin Thurston of Mystic. Will grew up in Montville and attended local elementary schools. He graduated from Ella T. Grasso Southeastern Reg. Tech. School class of 1987. He attended Mohegan Community College and later graduated from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 1993. He received his CT Funeral Director License in 1994 and later received MA Funeral Director License in 2005.
He was united in marriage to the former Debra Kraynak on Sept. 9, 1995 in East Lyme, Debby survives him. Mr. Thurston was currently employed at Scanlon Funeral Service in Webster, MA until his illness and was the former manager of Gilman Funeral Home in Putnam. Prior to the funeral profession he was employed as a draftsman for engineering firms in New London and Groton. Will was a gifted and self-taught musician. He loved playing the bass, acoustic guitars and piano. He played in many local bands in Southeastern CT and Putnam. He was a member of the Mystic Highland Pipe Band for nine years and the Caledonian Pipes and Drums in Cincinnati, OH.
In addition to his wife and parents he is survived by a brother, Nicholas Thurston of Canterbury, a sister, Jennifer Smith of NH, his father's fiancee, Barbara Smith of Mystic, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
His family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday from 2 pm to 4 pm at the Impellitteri-Malia Funeral Home, 84 Montauk Ave., New London, and on Monday from 10 am to 11 am. Funeral services will begin at 11 am followed by interment in Elm Grove Cemetery, Mystic, CT. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to, Pet Pals Northeast Inc., P.O. Box 64, Plainfield, CT 06374-0064.