Dr. Thurston Dale

Dr. Thurston Dale, DVM, of Medina, New York passed away at the age of 85 on Thursday, November 7, 2024 at the Greenfield Health & Rehabilitation Center in Lancaster. 

Born March 16, 1939 in Hope, Rhode Island, he was a son of the late Thomas Frank Dale and Ruth (Isaacs) Dale. One of six children, Dr. Dale grew up on a farm in Cranston, Rhode Island. It was there that his love for animals began. He went on to earn his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University in 1962. On February 3 that same year, he married the love of his life, the former Maryellen Pendergast. Dr. and Mrs. Dale moved to Medina in 1964. Dr. Dale founded Ridge Animal Hospital in Middleport, which he owned and operated for many years, caring for all animals, big and small, in the surrounding communities. A pillar of his community, Dr. Dale served for many years on the Medina Central School District Board of Education, serving two years as President. He also served for many years on the Orleans-Niagara BOCES Board of Education, where he was integral in establishing the Animal Science Program. Dr. Dale was a parishioner of St. John’s Episcopal Church and in later years St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church in Medina. He was very active in the vestry of both churches. He also belonged to the Western New York Veterinary Medicine Association.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Maryellen Dale in 2016 and all five of his siblings.

Survivors include his two sons, T. Gregory Dale of Albany and Christopher Dale of Buffalo; and several nieces and nephews.

His funeral service will be held on Friday, Nov. 15 at 11AM at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1355 West Ave., Medina, NY 14103. Interment will follow in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations would be greatly appreciated to St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church at the address above. Arrangements are in the care of Cooper Funeral Home, 215 W. Center St., Medina.