SCARBOROUGH – Elwin W. “Skip” Thurlow passed away peacefully on Oct. 15, 2023. Skip was born in Auburn on Jan. 2, 1924, to Wilbur F. and Helen (Hunt) Thurlow.

He graduated from Edward Little High School in 1941. Under the GI bill, he attended the University of Maine at Orono where he received a Bachelor of Science in 1950 and later received a Masters Degree in Business Administration in 1970.

In November 1942, Skip enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He was a member of the 20th Bomber Command in World War II. He served in the China, Burma, India Theater and in the Pacific Theater of Operations and flew numerous missions over China and Japan. He was awarded the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Skip met the love of his life, Jackie, in high school while playing in the band together. They remained in contact with each other during the war and were married on June 18, 1947. That same year, while a student at UMO he won a car. It was a two-door Chevrolet and came at a time when he was in need of a more reliable car. He had not even purchased the winning raffle ticket; his father-in-law had!

After living in Bridgton, Auburn, and Augusta, he and Jackie decided to build a home in Farmingdale where they would raise their three daughters. He built the home along with his Uncle Claude. Skip and Jackie would continue to live in Farmingdale for over 50 years where they were very active in the community. For many summers, the family spent much of their time at Salmon Lake. Skip still commuted to work, but made plenty of time to swim, fish and host many gatherings with family and friends.

Skip’s entire career was spent working at Central Maine Power Company. He started his career at CMP in 1941 reading meters in Lewiston and returned to that role after the war. After college he progressed through various engineering assignments in the company. In 1970, he was named Vice President and in 1971, he was named President and served as President and CEO until his retirement in 1983. During his career with CMP Skip was active in the formation of the New England Power Pool (NEPOOL) and served as Chairman of the Executive Committee for 2 years. He played a leading role in the formation of Maine Electric Power Company (MEPCO)— owner and operator of the high voltage transmission line linking New England to Canada. While at CMP he was also a member of the Board of Directors and President of Maine Yankee Atomic Power Company and Maine Electric Power Company.

Skip served on numerous organizations including, Director and Chairman of the MSAD 16 School Board, Director of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, Associated Industries of Maine, Maine Development Council, Edison Electric Institute, and Northeast Power Coordinating Council. He also served as a member of the advisory board of the School of Business and Economics at The University of Maine, Portland Campus, and as a member of Gov. Longley’s Economic Advisory Committee.

For many years he was a member of the Board of Directors of Depositors Trust Company of Augusta, Depositors Corporation, and Great Northern Nekoosa Corporation. In 1972, the Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce named Skip as the Business Individual of the Year and in 1981 he was awarded the Distinguished Citizen Award by the Pine Tree Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He was also listed in Marquis’ Who’s Who in America.

During his remarkable 40 years of retirement, Skip and Jackie were snowbirds. They spent the winter months in Naples, Fla., where they were members of FoxFire Country Club. They enjoyed hosting their daughters and their families over the years, taking them to the surrounding beaches and pools, rounds of golf and strolling the course at sunset to spot the bald eagles and always Sunday Brunch at the clubhouse.

When Skip turned 80, he wrote an autobiography called “80 Years and Counting” which he had printed and gifted to all of his children and grandchildren. This book revealed many aspects of Skip’s life during his time in World War II that his family were unaware of. Like many others of that generation, he didn’t talk about the war much.

In 2007, Skip and Jackie moved to Piper Shores in Scarborough. During his time there, he remained a very active community member. He was a member of the Finance Committee, the Chairman of the Store Committee, Chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee, President of the Resident Council, and for two years was President of the Piper Shores Association. He and Jackie enjoyed dining and socializing with friends at Piper Shores and being close to family in the area. He enjoyed gardening and planting flowers in the garden outside their apartment and always had the bird feeder full of seed. He especially loved his daily walks to Higgins Beach and recently was able to take a ride on a bike by the beach thanks to the Portland Wheelers.

Skip is survived by his daughters, Diane (Donald) Wood of Enfield, Conn., Cynthia (Richard) Sayles of Scarborough, and Phoenix, Ariz., and Donna (Terry) Snyder of Scarborough; eight grandchildren: Andrew (Cara Moore) Wood of Pelham, N.Y., Rebecca (James) Shelton of San Jose, Calif., Jeremy Wood of Lexington, Ky., Matthew (Audrey) Wood of Tolland, Conn., Christopher Sayles of Framingham, Mass., Meghan (Timothy) Bremm of Cave Creek, Ariz., Katherine (Kyle) Weaver of Gorham, and Jennifer (Matthew) Place of Scarborough; six

great-grandchildren: Milo Wood of Pelham, N.Y., Silas and Elliot Bremm of Cave Creek, Ariz., Eloise, and Charles Place of Scarborough, and Hannah Wood of Tolland, Conn.

He was predeceased by his wife Jackie of 75 years, his sister Jean Stronach, and brothers, Donald and Frederick Thurlow.

A graveside service, with military honors, will occur on Friday Nov. 3, 2023, at 11 a.m., at Gracelawn Memorial Park in Auburn.

Skip’s family would like to express their gratitude to the nursing staff for the care he received while at Piper Shores. A special thanks to Tina Hershberger and Ladonna Burley for their help and compassionate care over the last year.

To share a memory or message to Skip’s family, please visit hobbsfuneralhome.com.

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