Paul C. Thomas
Retired Tewksbury Police Officer
TEWKSBURY: Paul C. Thomas, age 74, a lifelong resident of Tewksbury, passed away at Tufts Medical Center in Boston on Thursday, July 27, 2023.
He was the beloved husband of Linda A. (Leitos) Thomas, with whom he would have celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary on September 9, 2023.
Born in Lowell on March 12, 1949, he was the son of the late Frank Thomas and the late Ella R. (Bernsson) Thomas.
Paul attended Tewksbury schools and graduated from Tewksbury Memorial High School in 1967. He later attended Middlesex Community College, where he received an associate degree.
Following high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and serviced during the Vietnam War. Paul was awarded several decorations for his active-duty service including the National Defense Service Medal, the SPS M-14 Medal with two Overseas Service Bars, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal as well as the Safe Driver Award.
Following his honorable discharge from active duty on June 14, 1970, he began his long career as a member of the Tewksbury Police Department until his retirement.
He was a member of the Tewksbury-Wilmington Elks Post # 2070, a member of the Townsend Rod & Gun Club and a member of the former Tewksbury D.A.V. Post # 110.
Paul was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed fishing in many area lakes, rivers, and ponds, hunting the woods of Weare, NH, and camping at Lake Dean in Oakham, Mass. He also enjoyed following the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots.
Besides his wife, he is survived by two children, Lowell Police Officer, Paul C. Thomas, Jr. and his wife Danielle, of Billerica, and Kristie M. Forde, of Tewksbury: five grandchildren, Christopher Thomas, Dylan Franko, Collin Robson, Braeden Brazil and Cami Thomas. Paul was the brother of Phillip Thomas and his late wife Gloria, of Lowell, Carol Cummings and her husband Michael, of Tualatin, OR, Judy Bannister and her husband Ralph, of Lowell, and the late Helen Thomas and Janet Hubert. He leaves many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
Calling hours are Monday, July 31st from 4-8 p.m. at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee Street, Tewksbury. Funeral services will be Tuesday, August 1st, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Tewksbury Cemetery, 172 East Street, Tewksbury. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Clear Path for Veterans of New England, 84 Antietam Street, Devens, MA 01434 or online at www.clearpathne.org