Thomas D. Apthorp, 81, of Hambden Township, passed away Dec. 27, 2009, at his home, surrounded by his loving family.Born Aug. 24, 1927, in Cleveland, he lived in East Cleveland before moving to the Chardon area in1969.He married Dorsey Mackey in Chardon Dec. 28, 1996.Mr. Apthorp served in the U.S. Navy during World War IIContinue Reading
Thomas D. Apthorp, 81, of Hambden Township, passed away Dec. 27, 2009, at his home, surrounded by his loving family.Born Aug. 24, 1927, in Cleveland, he lived in East Cleveland before moving to the Chardon area in1969.He married Dorsey Mackey in Chardon Dec. 28, 1996.Mr. Apthorp served in the U.S. Navy during World War II on the U.S.S. Armstead Rust.Mr. Apthorp and his wife are the owner/operators of Phoenix Farms in Hambden Township. They raise and show Belgian draft horses. In earlier years, he was very instrumental with 4-H, The Great Geauga County Fair, the Lake and Ashtabula County Fairs, the Ohio State Fair and the Michigan State Fair. He was a member of NASCAR and actively raced cars. He was an avid snow skier and enjoyed coin collecting, swimming and fishing.Mr. Apthorp was an industrial engineer for Parker Hannifin Corp. from 1958 until 1978, when he joined Mentor Electric Corp. He then joined Mercury Plastics until he left in 1986. During his tenure with Parker Hannifin, he managed several divisions throughout the company. He was instrumental in the design of much of the equipment still in use today. Under his direction, Alpine Valley Ski Resort was built in 1965. He was the chief operating officer and managed the facility until 2007.Survivors include his wife, Dorsey (Mackey) Apthorp of Hambden Township; children, Sherry (Mike) Baron of Ashtabula, Scott (Terri) Apthorp of Munson Township, Jim (Kathy) Apthorp of Surprise, Ariz., Fred Apthorp of Hambden Township, Elizabeth Haygood of Munson Township and James D. Mackey II of Cleveland; grandchildren, Rusty (Dawn) Chapek of Hambden Township, Melissa Apthorp of Thompson Township, Deanna Heiden of Munson Township, Danielle Apthorp of Newbury Township, Michelle Heiden of Munson Township and Lisa Apthorp of Munson Township; great-grandchildren, Mason, Dominic, Dion, Matthew, Shane and Natalie; and brother, Barney (Jackie) Apthorp of Thymesville, Wis.He was preceded in death by his parents, Grant T. and Violette (Barney) Apthorp and brother, Grant Apthorp.A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. A private family burial will be held.Donations may be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 5786 Heisley Road, Mentor, OH 44060.Arrangements were made by The Burr Funeral Home and Cremation Service.Information and on-line condolences are at www.burrservice.com.
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