LOWELL—Merrill G. ‘Skip’ Thomas, 57 years old, a longtime resident of Lowell, died early Thursday evening, August 18th, at his home, after a brief illness. He was the beloved husband of Eileen (Ahearn) Thomas, who survives him.
He was born in Worcester, on April 22, 1948, a son of the late Merrill G. and Florence (Witts) Thomas, and was a graduate of the Butler Junior High School and Lowell High School. He received his engineering degree from the former Lowell Institute of Technology.
For over 25 years he had been employed as a Test Engineer by the Textron Corporation, in Wilmington, and previously had worked at Raytheon.
Skip was an avid sports enthusiast. He was involved in Highland Youth Sports as a coach and refereree. He coached PYO Baseball, D.A.R.E. Youth Wrestling, and coached and refereed Lowell Youth Soccer. He also played in the Inner City Basketball and Softball Leagues, in Lowell. He enjoyed golf, fishing, boating, his home in Hillsboro, NH, and spending time with his grandchildren.
Surviving him besides his wife of 35 years are his three children and their spouses: Susan and Stephen Cappellini, of Pepperell; Mark and Tracy Thomas, of Townsend; and Lori and Steven Flynn, of Danville, NH; four grandchildren: Julia and Lauren Cappellini; and Hailey and Mark Thomas; his mother-in-law: Mary A. Ahearn, of Lowell; brothers and sisters: David and Sherry Thomas, of Lowell; Dennis and Janet Thomas, of Pelham, NH; and Kathleen and Hugh McAtamney, of Lowell; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Joanne Finnegan, of Lowell; Joseph ‘Buddy’ and Gail Ahearn, of Dracut; Michael and Diane Ahearn, of Lowell; and Richard and Anna Ahearn, of Lowell; also many nieces and nephews.
He was the uncle of the late Jimmy McAtamney, who died in March of 2000.
Friends may call from 4 until 8 PM Monday, August 22nd, at the MAHONEY FUNERAL HOME, 187 Nesmith Street, (Rte.38). His Funeral Mass to be offered Tuesday, August 23rd, at 10 AM at ST. MARGARET’S CHURCH. Burial in the Westlawn Cemetery. Donations in his memory may be made to the Jimmy Fund; 10 Brookline Place West; Floor 6; Brookline, MA 02446-6478y Fund; 10 Brookline Place West; Floor 6; Brookline, MA 02446-6478.