Charles Thorndike

Charles "Chip" Thorndike, 95, of Meredith, NH passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 14, 2008 at Golden View Nursing Home in Meredith.      Chip was born in Boston, MA on February 2, 1914, the son of Dr. Townsend William Thorndike and Mary Cayford Thorndike.  He grew up in Boston and attended Harvard University and the University of New Hampshire.  He married Barbara Annalee Davis in 1940 and they resided on their Meredith farm for their entire married lives.  During World War II they ran a chicken farm, raising 30,000 chickens to provide hatching eggs for the war effort.      In the late 1940's, Chip and Annalee began the Annalee Mobilitee Doll Co. at their kitchen table.  Chip was responsible for creating the wire frame, which gave the felt dolls much of their unique expression.  Through the years the business grew to national prominence, eventually employing 500 workers.     Photography was a life-long love, which Chip continued into his 90's.  His skills progressed with the times and technology, learning digital and video filming techniques.     Chip always enjoyed attending auctions and in his later years began selling his "finds" at "Chip's Use-It-Up Shop" in Meredith.     Mr. Thorndike was predeceased by his wife, Annalee in 2002, his sister, Sarah Herbert Thorndike, a brother, Townsend William Thorndike.       He is survived by his brother, David Thorndike of Colorado, 2 sons, Townsend D. and his wife, Katherine, of North Sandwich, NH and Charles E. and his wife, Karen, of Meredith; 7 grandchildren,  Townsend Eric of Maine, Shane William of Vermont & Nicholas Hoyt of NH; Christopher, Peter, Shannon Benedix, & Kelly Sturmer of  Colorado, NH & Maine; 5 great-grandchildren, 3 step -grandchildren: Jennifer Miller, Lisa Thomas, Kevin Dupont; several nieces and a nephew.  Memorials:     In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Golden View Nursing Home Activity Fund, 19 NH Rte 104, Meredith, NH 03253 or Meredith Conservation Commission, 41 Main St, Meredith, NH 03253.  Visitation:     Calling hours will be Saturday, April 18, from 12 - 2 p.m. at Mayhew Funeral Home, Routes 3 and 104, Meredith.   Service:     Committal will be at Blossom Hill Cemetery, Concord, NH, at the convenience of the family.