Thomas Charles Linton

Thomas C. Linton, 91, of The Landing at Laurel Lake, formerly of Birch Street, Lee, died early in the morning of Thursday, December 10, at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield after a long struggle with dementia.

Born in South Boston on August 12, 1929, son of Thomas and Mary McLoud Linton, he attended the Boston High School of Commerce. Upon graduating from the Massachusetts School of Art in 1953, he worked in the Worcester public schools from 1953 to 1955. He then worked as a draftsman, first for the Lummus Company in New York City from 1956 to 1959 and then for Raytheon outside of Boston. Returning to school, he received an MFA in 1963 from Boston University. He then moved to the Berkshires, raising a family and teaching elementary school art, first in the South Berkshire school district and then for 23 years in the Berkshire Hills Regional school district, mainly in the Bryant and Housatonic Schools, retiring in 1989. He had resided in Lee since 1967.

A serious and devoted lifelong artist, Thomas carried his sketchbook everywhere. He took part in organized drawing groups, explored a variety of styles and media, and exhibited his work throughout his life. In his retirement he illustrated a children’s book, “An Elephantasy” written by his good friend Bob Sheehan. He also enjoyed hiking and following old maps to investigate the local history of the Berkshires. Often he was recognized and warmly greeted by former students. He was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Pittsfield.

He is predeceased by his wife Helen (Eileen) Linton, whom he married in 1960, and his two brothers Robert and David.

Thomas is survived by his son Andrew Linton and his wife Jahnavi of Tracy, California, and their two children Anjali and Geethan; and by his daughter Jennifer Linton and her husband Craig Bina of Highland Park, Illinois.

There will not be any formal services at this time.

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