Retired Youngstown water commissioner dies

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Gary Thornton Sr., who spent 14 years as Youngstown water commissioner, died Saturday after an extended illness. He was 74.

“He was a good man who I’ve known for a long time,” said Patrick J. Ungaro, who appointed Thornton in January 1988 after he was re-elected mayor. “He was someone I felt comfortable with. I was looking for a standard for the position and he maintained that standard.”

Thornton was the first minority hired by Ungaro as mayor and was the city’s second black water commissioner, serving until his 2002 retirement.

“Gary was a good worker and easy to get along with,” said council President Charles Sammarone.

Thornton worked 31 years for the city, starting in 1971 as the evaluation coordinator for the Community Development Agency. Immediately before the water commissioner appointment, he spent the previous six years as the CDA’s Equal Employment Opportunity officer.