I can still see Thorndog's smile walking down the halls at hilltop high school. Always had a smile always looking to have a good time and that carried right on through the end of his life. I admired him for doing and pursuing what he always wanted to do and that was to have a restaurant down in Mexico. I'm sure now he's cooking for a lot of people with a lot of burgers and still having a good time. Rest in peace "THORNY".
yes, this is sad and disheartening....I too remember in high school that Geoff always was friendly...I hope I returned the friendliness....RIP Geoff....you are gone but not forgotten...Bruce Perry
I guess it is ok to say now, but Geoff was the first boy I ever kissed. I was 12. Very sweet young man. That was it, one kiss sitting on a bench in the church park. Rest in peace, Geoff. Debbie T.
I'm so sorry to hear this, as well. My vivid memory of Geoff is of a little party at Mary's house, maybe in 8th or 9th grade. Geoff and Gwen were there together, and I thought they were the most beautiful couple imaginable. They reminded me of Romeo and Juliet; Arthur and Guinnevere (only Geoffrey and Gwendolyn). Yes, RIP, Geoff, and say "hey" to other Lancers, gone before us--including Mary. xxoo
Thank you Scott. Classmates have been asking me if I knew where Geoff was and if I had heard he had passed away. I really didn't know. Geoff was so sweet and happy and that smile of his was amazing ! Thanks for giving so many of us such happy memories Geoff ! RIP !
I am so sorry to hear of Geoff's passing. I was really hoping to see him again after all these years. I think every girl at Hilltop probably had a crush on Geoff Thornback; I know I did. Geoff and I were friends but he did escort me to the Homecoming Dance and he took me to the El Cortez for dinner; pretty special! RIP dear man!
Truly Geoff had it all...looks, brains, athleticism, good humour and charm. No wonder that he was so popular and well liked. I never travelled in his cool circle, so I never had a chance to get to know him. Thanks Scott for the touching tribute.
Wow this makes me so sad. Geoff was always so nice and funny. Always a smile on his face. The last time I saw him was about 1985 at the Denny's off the 805 Freeway of all places. He still had that great smile and that's how I'll always remember him. RIP Geoff.
My fondest memory of Geoff was his witty kindness and how we played together on "United Mutations" Intramural basketball champions. Also, later in life going down to Rosarito Beach for "Thorny's Over the Line Beach Tournament". A very classy event with all the fish taco's you could eat. Plenty of cold Beer and Tequila of course. An actual Grand Piano and Piano player on the Beach. Just loads of fun and Great memories with my friend and classmate Steve Franklin and Mike Michaelis.
And getting dragged out of a Rosarito Bar as a fight broke out while I was lightweighting and blowing chunks in the bathroom. Blowing more chunks hanging over the backtailgate as the truck we used to escape in bounced down the bumpy dirt backroad to freedom on the beach. Then being pulled out from under Steve's Motorhome several hours later by my feet and tossed inside to settle in for a good nights sleep. Not being too picky and totally out of it i passed out on the floor right by the door, only to have Geoff, (Actually doing a Welfare check on everyone in camp) come banging very loudly on that door by my head yelling with his best Treasures of Sierra Madre Spanish voice, "Open Up, This if the Federales.....Open Up". All I remember is jumping up and racing to the front of the motorhome ready to start it and Roll out of there. Of course Steve and Mike Michaelis were laughing there asses off. The next morning to prove that everything really happened they showed me the dirt scratch marks that my fingers made as I was being dragged out from under the motorhome.
Oh by the way I think our OTL team name was, 2 Jerks and a Squirt. Of course I was the Squirt.
RIP Geoff Thornback. It was an honor and a blessing to have known you my friend.
Scott Erreca
I can still see Thorndog's smile walking down the halls at hilltop high school. Always had a smile always looking to have a good time and that carried right on through the end of his life. I admired him for doing and pursuing what he always wanted to do and that was to have a restaurant down in Mexico. I'm sure now he's cooking for a lot of people with a lot of burgers and still having a good time. Rest in peace "THORNY".
Bruce Perry
yes, this is sad and disheartening....I too remember in high school that Geoff always was friendly...I hope I returned the friendliness....RIP Geoff....you are gone but not forgotten...Bruce Perry
Debbie Taylor
I guess it is ok to say now, but Geoff was the first boy I ever kissed. I was 12. Very sweet young man. That was it, one kiss sitting on a bench in the church park. Rest in peace, Geoff. Debbie T.
Chris Harger (Lind)
I'm so sorry to hear this, as well. My vivid memory of Geoff is of a little party at Mary's house, maybe in 8th or 9th grade. Geoff and Gwen were there together, and I thought they were the most beautiful couple imaginable. They reminded me of Romeo and Juliet; Arthur and Guinnevere (only Geoffrey and Gwendolyn). Yes, RIP, Geoff, and say "hey" to other Lancers, gone before us--including Mary. xxoo
Adele Canas (Fares)
Thank you Scott. Classmates have been asking me if I knew where Geoff was and if I had heard he had passed away. I really didn't know. Geoff was so sweet and happy and that smile of his was amazing ! Thanks for giving so many of us such happy memories Geoff ! RIP !
Janette Smith (Rhein)
I am so sorry to hear of Geoff's passing. I was really hoping to see him again after all these years. I think every girl at Hilltop probably had a crush on Geoff Thornback; I know I did. Geoff and I were friends but he did escort me to the Homecoming Dance and he took me to the El Cortez for dinner; pretty special! RIP dear man!
Trisha Pavka
Truly Geoff had it all...looks, brains, athleticism, good humour and charm. No wonder that he was so popular and well liked. I never travelled in his cool circle, so I never had a chance to get to know him. Thanks Scott for the touching tribute.
Debra Villalobos
Wow this makes me so sad. Geoff was always so nice and funny. Always a smile on his face. The last time I saw him was about 1985 at the Denny's off the 805 Freeway of all places. He still had that great smile and that's how I'll always remember him. RIP Geoff.
Gail Souza (Strackbine)
RIP Geoff:
I'm glad I was able to see Geoff a few times over the last few years. Seemingly, life was not always easy as his years moved on.
He surely left a mark on many, leaving us many crazy, funny memories. There's a lot to say about that!
One truly iconic Lancer.
Ken Thiltgen
My fondest memory of Geoff was his witty kindness and how we played together on "United Mutations" Intramural basketball champions. Also, later in life going down to Rosarito Beach for "Thorny's Over the Line Beach Tournament". A very classy event with all the fish taco's you could eat. Plenty of cold Beer and Tequila of course. An actual Grand Piano and Piano player on the Beach. Just loads of fun and Great memories with my friend and classmate Steve Franklin and Mike Michaelis.
And getting dragged out of a Rosarito Bar as a fight broke out while I was lightweighting and blowing chunks in the bathroom. Blowing more chunks hanging over the backtailgate as the truck we used to escape in bounced down the bumpy dirt backroad to freedom on the beach. Then being pulled out from under Steve's Motorhome several hours later by my feet and tossed inside to settle in for a good nights sleep. Not being too picky and totally out of it i passed out on the floor right by the door, only to have Geoff, (Actually doing a Welfare check on everyone in camp) come banging very loudly on that door by my head yelling with his best Treasures of Sierra Madre Spanish voice, "Open Up, This if the Federales.....Open Up". All I remember is jumping up and racing to the front of the motorhome ready to start it and Roll out of there. Of course Steve and Mike Michaelis were laughing there asses off. The next morning to prove that everything really happened they showed me the dirt scratch marks that my fingers made as I was being dragged out from under the motorhome.
Oh by the way I think our OTL team name was, 2 Jerks and a Squirt. Of course I was the Squirt.
RIP Geoff Thornback. It was an honor and a blessing to have known you my friend.