Just days before he died on Saturday following a stroke, Mr Thornton was able to give his blessing to his professional golfer son Simon as he travelled to South Africa to compete in the PGA European Tour.
Simon, who turned professional in 2005, is now fulfilling a lifetime's ambition after earning a European Tour card for the first time. His father's funeral is being delayed until January 20 to give the 32-year-old sportsman the chance to return from South Africa.
Mr Thornton, of Halifax Road, Hove Edge, died at the age of 60 at Calderdale Royal Hospital. He had contracted pneumonia following a stroke on December 29.
Mrs Diane Thornton said: "Stephen was so delighted that Simon had won a place to compete in South Africa. He was in hospital but he was able to squeeze Simon's hand and tell him that he wanted him to go. It was Simon's lifetime goal and Stephen was so proud of him."
She said she would like to make a personal tribute to her husband after the funeral.
Mr Thornton was a well-known figure in the brass band world. In his playing career he appeared with the best bands in the north of England and he was a keen supporter and judge of the annual Brighouse Lions' band contest. Tributes have been paid to the cornet player whose skill with the instrument earned him places with Brighouse and Rastrick, Hammond's Sauce Works Band, Black Dyke and James Shepherd Versatile Brass.
He started his musical career at the age of nine with Elland Silver Band and was only 11 when he joined B. and R. Here he played next to his lifelong friend David Horsfield as part of the band that came runner-up to CWS Manchester at the 1963 National Championships. Mr Thornton moved to Black Dyke in 1964 and the following year he was runner-up in the British solo championships before making his name as principal cornet of the Hammond's Sauce Works Band under the direction of Geoffrey Whitham.
There followed a decade of successful music-making with the recently formed James Shepherd Versatile Brass which took Mr Thornton all over the world. In 1978 he took part in the 10-piece band's notable trip to Australia. His growing business as an accountant and finance director caused him to retire from active playing though he returned to play with James Shepherd Versatile Brass for the band's 30th anniversary concert at Central Methodist Church, Brighouse, in 2008.
Mr Thornton was also a member of the Kings of Brass, formed in 1995, an ensemble made up of retired players from the top bands from all over the country, which went on to make three CD recordings.
Mr Horsfield said: "Stephen had that essential gift that marked out the finest cornet players. He was a wonderful player, a great friend and a lovely man. We became lifelong friends after we first met and played together at B. and R. He was something of a child prodigy and played as a featured soloist at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Our paths crossed as players for many years before we finally met up again with Jim Shepherd where we had some great times. He will be sorely missed."
Mr Thornton was a keen golfer. "He had been diagnosed with a underlying illness a couple of years ago but as recently as September we were playing golf together at Cleckheaton Golf Club," said Mr Horsfield.
Mr James Shepherd, of Northowram, founder of James Shepherd Versatile Brass, paid tribute to his colleague and fellow musician. "I first met Stephen when he was about 14 and was a promising young player. He could have joined any band and I was so proud and privileged when he chose to join the Versatile Brass in the late 1970s. He made a huge contribution to the band's success."
Mr David Howe, concert secretary with B. and R., said he understood that Mr Thornton's interest in music was inspired by hearing the well-known trumpet player Derek Garside playing Handel's 'Messiah' at his local church when he was a boy. "Stephen was a star player at a young age and he went on to be an exceptional brass band man."
The funeral will be held at Lower Wyke Moravian Church where Mr and Mrs Thornton were married and where Mrs Thornton was a lay preacher.
Simon started his golf career at Crow Nest Park Club where he won the first Captain's Prize as a 19-year-old in 1996. He now lives in Northern Ireland.
As well as Simon, the couple have another son, Nick, who lives in Lightcliffe.