header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
March 28
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir


garythornhill_mugYou might not know his name – in fact, when he wrote news stories, they appeared under the pseudonym “Victor Valencia” – but if you’ve been around the Santa Clarita Valley for a while, you’ve seen his photos.

Gary Lee Thornhill, one of the SCV’s leading photojournalists of the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s, died Saturday. He was 74.

Thornhill had been suffering in recent years from severe arthritis, but when this writer last visited him a few months ago, he was still monitoring police and fire frequencies at his home office in Saugus – as he’d done for years when he was typically the first to arrive at the scene of a violent car crash or brush fire.

Known as “Thorny” to friends, he did more than merely chronicle breaking news. He earned the respect of emergency responders as he did it. He was the SCV Sheriff Station’s first civilian volunteer – only the second in the countywide department – and frequently guest-lectured on accident investigations for COC’s law enforcement classes.

According to retired CHP Sgt. Harry Ingold, a close friend, Thornhill was living in a convalescent home in Sylmar at the time of his death, which came Saturday morning with his wife, Celeste, at his bedside. Ingold said Thornhill asked to be cremated, and services have not yet been announced.

Born Aug. 17, 1938, in Santa Ana, Thornhill was a late-comer to the newspaper game, entering it only after he retired from a 30-year career with Safeway grocery stores.

While Thornhill’s crash scene photographs appeared in The California Highway Patrolman magazine, he was best known locally for his work in The Signal, Daily News, Los Angeles Times and SCV Citizen newspapers – and not just the “hard stuff.” He covered everything from Saturday night races at the Saugus Speedway to Santa Clarita city formation in 1987 to the 1994 Northridge earthquake to beauty contests in Canyon Country that could be, well, revealing.

Thornhill had many press passes; this one was issued by The California Highway Patrolman magazine.

Thornhill had many press passes; this one was issued by The California Highway Patrolman magazine.

“Gary Thornhill was a legend at The Signal,” former publisher Tony Newhall said Wednesday. “He was a natural born news photographer, always on the lookout for good photos, particularly police stories, like accidents, crime scenes, and fires. He loved to come rushing back to the office at deadline, saying, ‘Have I got a shot for you!’

“It was said that he slept with his police scanner on and would jump when he heard certain codes,” Newhall said. “Gary was the editor’s dream in getting breaking news shots. He will be missed.”

Former Signal Editor Tim Whyte remembers that Thornhill would frequently come into the office in the morning with breaking news photos he’d shot at 2 a.m. or 3 a.m.

“He was a 24/7 newsman,” Whyte said. “He wanted to be where the action was, and most of the time he succeeded.”

Longtime Signal journalist John Boston called him a “throwback hero to those old, can-do movies of yesteryear.”

“Like God’s sunlight,” Boston said, “his enthusiasm washed over the good, the evil and the patently shut off from life. Not from any close personal experience, but I know the guy slept surrounded by police scanners and would bound out of bed to get that great photograph for the next day’s paper. He was all energy, good cheer, and I will tell my daughter not just about him, but as a shining example of how to live a life. Better, I’m going to remind myself about how to so fiercely greet and embrace life.”

Working as a freelancer, “Thorny” retained the rights to his work and donated the bulk of his collection earlier this year to two nonprofit organizations – SCVTV and the SCV Historical Society – so that it might continue to educate and inform the public.

For example, his photos of the devastation wrought by the 1998 El Nino weather event were used to illustrate a recent SCVNews.com story about the county’s plans to shore up the Santa Clara River. The photos serve as a reminder that while the SCV enjoys 100-degree temperatures much of the year, flooding can and does occur with little warning, and citizens need to prepare.

Viewed in sum, Thornhill’s photographs demonstrate not only his enthusiasm for immortalizing handcuffed suspects but also for animals – usually dogs and cats, but the occasional squirrel and cow, as well.

Thornhill outside the brand-new Signal office building in 1986.

Thornhill outside the brand-new Signal office building in 1986.

Some SCV history might not exist in visual form had Thornhill not been there to capture it – from the demolition of the old Bonelli ranch house in Saugus to the move of the Saugus Train Station in 1980 to aerial views of the valley before Stevenson Ranch became a reality in 1988.

Thornhill photographed the construction of The Signal building on Creekside Road that was dedicated to its then-editor, Scott Newhall, in 1986. Loyal to the Newhall family, Thornhill followed Scott and Ruth Newhall when they left the paper two years later to start the rival, thrice-weekly SCV Citizen newspaper out of an office on Valencia Boulevard. It lasted only nine months.

Thornhill stayed in touch even after his breaking news days were behind him. Whyte remembers that after he left The Signal, Thornhill and his wife still would bring cookies to the staff at Christmastime.

Thornhill was particularly fond in recent years of pointing out aerial photos he’d shot of some peculiar activity happening at the contaminated Whittaker-Bermite munitions site in 1990, three years after the company was raided and found to have violated toxic and hazardous materials laws. Thornhill’s 1990 photos appear to show trucks carrying materials for burial in an underground pit on the property.

The bulk of Thornhill’s work is being added over time to SCVHistory.com. To view some of his photographs now, visit the website and search on the words, “Gary Thornhill.”

Thornhill is survived by his wife, Celeste, son Keith of Santa Ana, daughter Brenda Norton of Temecula, nine grandchildren and one great grandchild; and by Celeste’s daughters, Christina David of Newhall and Elizabeth Olson of Incline Village, Nev.

 

 

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

6 Comments

  1. Gary was a great shooter, loved his job and I was proud to be his friend and fellow photographer back in the days when we shot film and had to get our exposures right on! Sad to see him go and hope that he is happy clicking away in heaven.

  2. Evelyne Vandersande says:

    Gary lived his life with a passion. My hat off to him. That was a full life and an exciting one. We will miss him.

  3. valleynewsgal says:

    “F-Y-I” – I will miss picking up the phone and hearing those three letters preceding a great news tip. Typing through a haze of tears of sadness and joy – what a treasure to have known Thorny. Bet he and Scott and Ruth are sharing some knee-slapping stories right now! My heart is heavy, but the memories are coming back to put the smile right back on my face…..

  4. Emory Holmes II says:

    Great biographical tribute for our dear friend, Leon. I’m so shocked and heartbroken, all I can say is ‘thanks’.

  5. Judie Pieper says:

    Gary always had a smile and made me laugh. Such a joy to be around. He was a wonderful photographer and was so happy when he got ‘just the right shot’. It was a wonderful obit and hopefully everyone can see how great he was. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. God Bless. Judie “JP” (co-worker)

  6. Jane Doh says:

    Such a shame, he was a very kind person.

Leave a Comment


SCV NewsBreak
LOCAL NEWS HEADLINES
Thursday, Mar 28, 2024
April 16: FYI Seeks Volunteers To Pair With Local Foster Youth
Local nonprofit Fostering Youth Independence is seeking “Allies” to support Santa Clarita youth who are aging out of the L.A. County foster care system.
Thursday, Mar 28, 2024
California Announces $25 Million in Awards for Youth Mental Health
To support the mental health of California's young people, the California Department of Public Health awarded $25 million to 28 tribal and community-based organizations across the state.
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
Keep Up With Our Facebook

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
Local nonprofit Fostering Youth Independence is seeking “Allies” to support Santa Clarita youth who are aging out of the L.A. County foster care system.
April 16: FYI Seeks Volunteers To Pair With Local Foster Youth
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health today unveiled the latest L.A. County Health Survey, which gathers vital data on health behaviors, conditions, neighborhood settings, and the needs of L.A .County residents, informing future public health policies and programs.
Public Health Unveils the 2023 L.A. County Health Survey Findings
Due to the projected rain forecast, Eggstravaganza will now be held indoors at the Canyon Country Community Center beginning promptly at 10 a.m. on March 30.
March 30: Eggstravaganza Now Being Held Indoors at Canyon Country Community Center
To support the mental health of California's young people, the California Department of Public Health awarded $25 million to 28 tribal and community-based organizations across the state.
California Announces $25 Million in Awards for Youth Mental Health
The College of the Canyons Athletic Department will host a dedication ceremony to unveil the Michele Jenkins Softball Team Room in honor of the longtime board member and ardent softball program supporter’s nearly 40 years of service to the district.
April 16: COC to Host Michele Jenkins Team Room Dedication Ceremony
PFLAG Santa Clarita has announced the establishment of the Peggy and Jeff Stabile PFLAG SCV Scholarship. The scholarship will provide financial assistance to LGBTQIA+ students pursuing higher education and committed to advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights and promoting diversity and inclusion.
PFLAG SCV Announces Stabile PFLAG Scholarship
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir
The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites the community to "Let the Sunshine In," a delightful evening of food, wine and song at the annual Cabaret & Cabernet fundraising benefit.
April 20: Santa Clarita Master Chorale’s Cabaret, Cabernet Fundraiser
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
March 27 Ocean Water Warning
As an integral ingredient necessary to help the Santa Clarita Valley to flourish, feedback from the business community is the secret sauce for achieving great things.
SCVEDEC Asks For the Business Community’s Opinion on Santa Clarita
Raise your heart rate while raising funds for the Santa Clarita Sister Cities Dollars-for-Desks campaign to provide school desks for students in Sariaya, Santa Clarita's Sister City in the Philippines.
April 13: Sister Cities Zumba-thon Fundraiser
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
SCVEDC Company Spotlight: Drumming Up Big Business with Remo, Inc.
California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) and Assemblyman James Ramos (D-Highland) have introduced AB 3074 the "School or athletic team names: California Racial Mascots Act."
Schiavo Introduces Bill to Prohibit ‘Derogatory’ School Mascot Names
Los Angeles County’s Justice, Care and Opportunities Department  in collaboration with Local Initiatives Support Corporation Los Angeles is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Pitch Competition for the cohorts of JCOD's Incubation Academy.
March 28: JCOD Incubation Academy Helps Grassroots Non-Profits For the Second Year
Children’s Bureau is seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals and/or couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.
April 18: Children’s Bureau Hosts Virtual Orientation
The Sunburst track was constructed in 1887 by the Southern Pacific Railroad and was a part of the main line running between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Enjoy Spring With a Ride On The Sunburst Track
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a Personal Finance Summit today where he announced his support for Assembly Bill 2927 (McCarty), legislation that would require a personal finance education course for California high school graduation.
State Superintendent Announces Support for Personal Finance Graduation Requirement
1847 - Probable birth date of Pico Canyon oil driller Charles Alexander Mentry [story]
C.A. Mentry
The first Music Jam Session at The MAIN was held on Thursday, Feb. 22 and was a hit. Come out and join in for the next one on Thursday, March 28 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
March 28: The MAIN to Host Musicians’ Jam Session
Los Angeles County Inspector General Max Huntsman of the Office of Inspector General has issued a report entitled "Tenth Report Back on Implementing Body-Worn Cameras in Los Angeles County."
Office of Inspector General Issues Latest Report on LASD Body Cams
College of the Canyons women's tennis played to a convincing 7-2 conference win over Ventura College on Moica to strengthen its potential playoff resume.
Canyons Closes Out Ventura 7-2 in Final Home Match
Join the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce with the Latino Business Alliance at the Cinco de Mayo Networking Celebration on Tuesday, May 7.
May 7: Latino Business Alliance Cinco de Mayo Celebration
SCVNews.com