WESTPORT — H.C. ‘‘Cal’’ Thornton, a longtime executive with United Press International and later the Los Angeles Times-Washington Post News Service, died Feb. 11 at Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, a week after being admitted with mild coronary disease, his son, Peter, said. He was 91.
The native of Lynchburg, Va., began work as a reporter in the 1950s for United Press after studying philosophy at the University of Chicago. He later moved to the business side of the industry as a sales executive for United Press International in Minneapolis when UP acquired International News Service in 1958.
Mr. Thornton relocated to Boston, where he served several years as a manager covering New England and New York. In 1971, he became vice president of sales.
Mr. Thornton joined the Los Angeles Times-Washington Post News Service in 1977, rising to president and editorial director.
He retired in 1988, moving to the Buzzards Bay area, where he enjoyed kayaking and his favorite pastime, golf. He lived the last 25 years in Westport, working occasionally for several years at a fishing bait and tackle shop in the town.
Known for his wit and intrapersonal skills in a hard-nail, competitive industry, Mr. Thornton thrived on advancing the careers of the journalists who worked with him.
‘‘Cal Thornton had an ineffable knack for spotting unrecognized talent and bringing it to full fruition,’’ said William Ketter, who worked with Mr. Thornton in Chicago and New York City. ‘‘He was the type of mentor and coach young journalists yearn for — knowledgeable, caring, and collaborative.’’
‘‘Cal remained a close friend and adviser throughout my career,’’ said Ketter, who was vice president of broadcast services at UPI in New York before becoming editor of the Patriot-Ledger, chairman of the Boston University journalism department, and editor of the Eagle-Tribune. ‘‘Our families used to vacation together when our children were young, and we often sailed together on Massachusetts Bay and Buzzards Bay after he retired.’’
Wes Pippert of the University of Missouri’s Washington journalism program described Mr. Thornton as a great storyteller with a dry sense of humor that matched his love for dry martinis. Pippert said that when he transferred from the Minneapolis UPI bureau to Sioux Falls, S.D., to replace the bureau manager who had decided to become a priest, Mr. Thornton paused and replied, ‘‘Well, he could have gone to AP.’’
Bernie Caughey, who worked with Mr. Thornton in Boston for several years, said he was ‘‘a quiet man of great compassion, patience, understanding, and wit.’’ One of Caughey’s fondest memories involved a fishing experience off Connecticut that included sipping martinis and catching bluefish. Later that night, Mr. Thornton professed an expertise at scaling the catch.
‘‘Scales flew off the fish in every direction — all over the kitchen,’’ recalled Caughey. ‘‘The floor, ceiling, lights, walls, stove, sink, refrigerator, counter. And, of course, all over Cal. Finally, I took them outside and grilled them. They were delicious. Washed down with, what else, another martini.’’
Mr. Thornton’s marriage to Audrey Laschansky ended in divorce. In addition to his son, Peter, of England, he leaves his companion of 25 years, Sally Hand of Westport; four daughters, Mary of Westport, Amy Balin of Brattleboro, Vt., Jennifer Correia of West Simsbury, Conn., and Kathleen Saunders of El Segundo, Calif.; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held on Aug. 11 in Westport.
Material from the Washington Post was used in this obituary.
