Attorney George M. Thomas passed away on Tuesday, October 27, 2015, at the age of 96, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born and raised in New Bedford, Mass., the son of Mitchel and Helen Thomas. He was a graduate of Holy Family High School, and of Providence College, and received his law degree from Boston University Law School in 1943.
He spent three years in the United States Navy and was stationed in Iwo Jima and Guam. Upon discharge, he entered the practice of law in New Bedford. He was a partner with the firm of Thomas and Thomas with his older brother, Fred. He also practiced with his son, Peter, and daughter-in-law, Cynthia Vincent Thomas. He practiced for over fifty-nine years, retiring at the age of 87. He was a member of the Massachusetts, Bristol County, and New Bedford Bar Associations. He was the last surviving member of the New Bedford Bar Association to have served his country in World War II. He was the first recipient of the Joseph P. Harrington Founder’s Award of the Bristol County Bar Association. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, serving as District Deputy, the Order of Saint Sharbel, and the New Bedford Serra Club.
He loved his family, his Maronite Catholic faith, the law, the Red Sox, and Providence College basketball. He was a lifelong communicant of Our Lady of Purgatory Church and a member of the parish’s Saint Joseph Sodality.
He was married to Réjeanne (Valois) Thomas for over fifty-nine years. In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons: Chorbishop Michael Thomas Vicar General of the Eparchy of Saint Maron and pastor of Heart of Jesus Church in Fort Lauderdale; New Bedford District Court Magistrate Peter Thomas and his wife, Assistant Court Magistrate Cynthia Vincent Thomas; and James Thomas, MD, a physician at Good Samaritan Hospital in Brockton. He is also survived by his two granddaughters, Alexa and Casey Thomas; his sister, Janet Lalor; his sister-in-law, Fernanda Thomas; his Godchild Martha and her husband Deacon Jean Mattar; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son Daniel Thomas; his brothers, Arthur and Fred Thomas; and his sister, Mary Joseph.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 3, at 10:00 am, at Our Lady of Purgatory Church, 11 Franklin Street, New Bedford, with the interment immediately following at Saint John’s Cemetery in New Bedford. Visiting hours will be on Monday from 4:00 – 8:00 pm, at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park Street, New Bedford, with prayers at 7:00 pm. For direction and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.