WESTPORT — Thornton K. “Tony” Ware 88 of Westport, N.Y. passed away at home, Saturday, June 1, 2013 of cardiac arrest. He was born August 20, 1924 in Fitchburg, Mass. to Thornton and Susan (Lee) Ware. He graduated from Milton Academy in Milton, Mass. in 1943. He then enlisted in the Army Air Corps where he met his future wife Ardyce “Andy” who was also serving her country in the Army Air Corps. They began their married life in New Haven, Conn. where he attended Yale University. Their first child Roger Alan was born May 21, 1947. Tony graduated with a degree in architecture in 1949. They then moved to Berkeley, Calif., and he graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a Masters degree in City Planning. The twins Patricia Lynn and Stephen Lee were born May 21, 1950. Tony had several positions in City Planning including Seattle Wash. Planning Commission, Northeastern Ill. Planning Commission (at which time Bruce was born March 7, 1957), Kane County Ill. Planning Commission, Rensselaer County N.Y. Department of Planning and the Tug Hill N.Y. Commission which he retired from. When he retired, he moved to Westport, N.Y. He had spent many summers on the North Shore and finally became a permanent resident. He served on the select board of the Village of Westport and was elected Mayor of the village in 1989, a position he held until the dissolution of the village in 1992. Tony loved to sing and was a lifelong member of SPEB SQSA. He sang in groups wherever he lived and in his later years in groups in both Plattsburgh, N.Y. and Pharr, Texas. He also was a member of the Federated Church of Westport, N.Y. and an avid member of its choir. He was predeceased by Andy, his wife of 58 years in 2004; and his son, Roger, in 1967. Survivors include Patricia of East Thetford, Vt., Stephen (Pat) of Sycamore, Ill., Bruce (Carolyn) of Westport, N.Y.; and two grandchildren, Madeline Van der Voort (Tim) and Alan. He was predeceased by a brother, Robert; and survived by two siblings, Marion Jolliffe of Chico, Calif. and David of Key Colony Beach, Fla. He is also survived by many cousins and extended Ware and Lee family members. A gathering in his memory will be held from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday July 7th at the Heritage House in Westport, N.Y. Burial will take place in St. Charles, Ill. at a later time.

Source:  Press-Republican (Plattsburgh, NY) – Wednesday, June 19, 2013