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As retirement neared, Paul and Cheryl Thornton moved from Delaware to Florida, believing it would be their “forever” home. While Florida is a great location for cruise enthusiasts like Paul, he hated it - the weather was unbearable and the drive to relatives in the northeast was too long. When it came time to retire, Paul sought somewhere with a temperate climate, a reasonable driving distance to the northeast, and near a city with professional football and basketball teams. After extensive research, Paul zeroed in on the Charlotte, North Carolina area. The couple purchased a home in Mooresville, North Carolina, a town located about 30 miles from Charlotte with more reasonable home prices than the city. Hear Paul profess his love for Mooresville and cruising on Episode 164 of Retire There with Gil & Gene.
Check out Paul’s award winning podcast: The Joy of Cruising.
Paul’s four books: The Joy of Cruising: Passionate Cruisers, Fascinating Stories; Cruising Interrupted; The Joy of Cruising Again; and White Man’s Disease A Memoir.
Author
Paul Thornton, originally from Brooklyn and Long Island, New York, served in the US Army, earned an MBA, and had a diverse career in corporate management, small business ownership, and higher education. He retired in 2021 after holding positions as a business professor and administrator.
Paul began his writing journey at age 58, inspired by delivering a heartfelt father-of-the-bride speech at his daughter's wedding. This prompted him to share a powerful memory, leading to a liberating and cathartic experience. Encouraged by this, he started his award winning memoir, "White Man’s Disease," a gripping account of his harrowing brush with death and journey of recovery. Paul has now completed his fourth book, "The Joy of Cruising Again," the finale of The Joy of Cruising trilogy, showcasing his passion for cruising.
Despite the stark contrast between his memoir and cruise-themed books, both explore the theme of passion and how it drives people to do remarkable things.
Currently residing in Mooresville, North Carolina, with his wife Cheryl, Paul cherishes cruising with their children and grandchildren as life's ultimate escape. He hosts the award winning "The Joy of Cruising Podcast," engaging with passionate cruisers and global cruise personalities. Paul has also started a sequel to "White Man’s Disease" titled "Gracefully" and plans a podcast series that delves into the memoir.
Cheryl Vaughan Thornton, a native of Pamplin, Virginia, earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Virginia State Univers…
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