SPRINGFIELD – Norman E. Thomas, 82, of the Glenwood section of Springfield, was Called Safely Home on Thursday, December 11, 2014. He passed into Eternal Life surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts on July 20, 1932, a beloved son of the late Elias Peter Thomas and Margaret V. (Stevens) Thomas. He was raised in Springfield, graduated from the former Sacred Heart Elementary School and Cathedral High School, both in Springfield and was nearly a lifelong resident of the city. He served his country in the United States Navy during the Korean War. Following his military service, he returned to Springfield and was employed for 45 years as a real estate broker for the Richard S. Thomas Realty Company in West Springfield. He later was a Rehabilitation Coordinator for the Springfield Housing Authority. He served the City of Springfield as a member, and later Chairman, of the Springfield Fire Commission where he was instrumental in building the Tower Training Center and the new Fire Headquarters on Spring Street in Springfield. He was also a past president of the Chicopee Board of Realtors. Active in his Catholic faith, he was a lifelong communicant of Saint Anthony Maronite Catholic Church in Springfield where he served on the Parish Council and the Saint Anthony Men’s Club. He was also a former member of the Knights of Columbus and the Archbishop Williams Assembly Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Jane E. (Namnoum) Thomas. They were married on October 6, 1956 at Saint Lawrence O’Toole Church in Hartford, Connecticut and were blessed with over 58 years of happiness together. He also leaves his five devoted children, Norman A. Thomas of West Springfield, Dr. Lesa A. Thomas and her husband, Dr. Jose S. Diaz, of Cabo Rojo, PR, Cathie T. Berman and her husband, George L. Berman, of Springfield, David A. Thomas and his wife, Maria “Lee” Thomas, of Dartmouth, MA and Mary Ann Thomas of Springfield; his eight cherished grandchildren whom he adored, Joseph Thomas, Kyle Thomas, Alexander Diaz, Elizabeth Diaz, Tarra Devine and her husband, Dwain, Justin Thomas, Maeghan Thomas and Zakary Thomas; his two cherished great-grandchildren, Emily Devine and Jackson Devine; his loving brother, former Hampden County Commissioner Richard S. Thomas, Sr. and his wife, Barbara, of West Springfield; his loving sister, Joyce Thomas Aruri and her husband, Naseer, of Dartmouth, MA; his sister-in-law, Gladys Thomas of Myrtle Beach, SC; his brother-in-law, Joseph P. Namnoum of Palm City, FL; his sister-in-law, Catherine A. Jeresaty and her husband, Dr. Robert Jeresaty, of West Hartford, CT; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins and extended members of the Thomas and Namnoum families. Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by his cherished grandson, Ryan A. Thomas who was Called Home on October 7, 1990; and his loving brother, Peter J. Thomas who was Called Home on July 15, 2010. His funeral will be held on Wednesday morning, December 17, 2014 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107, (funeral home will open at 8:30 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Saint Anthony Maronite Catholic Church, 375 Island Pond Road, Springfield, MA 01118. His Burial with US Navy Military Honors will follow the Mass at Saint Michael Cemetery, 1601 State Street, Springfield, MA 01109. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, December 16, 2014 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. His family has requested that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Saint Anthony Children’s Scholarship Fund, Sponsored by the Richard S. Thomas Jr. Memorial Fund, Saint Anthony Maronite Catholic Church, 375 Island Pond Road, Springfield, MA 01118. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com