Leroy C. "Red" Thing
...Retired Tewksbury Firefighter,87
TEWKSBURY - Leroy C. "Red" Thing, age 87 died Sunday Morning May 11th at
his home after a long period of declining health. He was the beloved husband of
Celia (Fantini) Thing with whom he had celebrated his 66th wedding
anniversary last May 25th. He was born September 7, 1920, in Skowhegan,
Maine, the son of the late Carey and Mary (Abby) Thing. He was raised in
Chelmsford by Lester and Ruth Smith after the death of his mother, in his
infancy. Upon graduation from Chelmsford High, he enlisted in the US Navy, in
the Pacific Theater Amphibious Forces during WW 2. Upon his marriage to
Celia, he moved to Tewksbury
He was appointed as a Call Firefighter in Tewksbury in January 1950, and
appointed as full time firefighter in October 1955. He served as Firefighter from
1950 until February 1972, when he was appointed "Acting" Captain, following
the Chapman Road gas explosion, which decimated the ranks within the fire
department. He returned to the position of Firefighter in April 1972, where he
remained until his retirement in October 1978.
He lived in Tewksbury for the greater part of his life and was a member of
several fraternal organizations. He was Past Exalted Ruler of the Tewksbury-
Wilmington Lodge of Elks, 2047, a member of the Tewksbury V.F.W. Post 8164,
Tewksbury D.A.V. Post 110, and the former Tewksbury Veterans Association.
He had also been a manager for the Tewksbury Youth Baseball League.
Besides his wife, he is survived by a daughter Anita Kopacz of Tewksbury; a son
Theodore "Ted" Thing of Westford; a grandson Richard Kopacz and his wife
Erica; two great grandchildren Nicole and Tyler Kopacz. He is also survived by
a good friend Bill W. of the AA in Lowell.
His Funeral was held Thursday May 15th in the Tewksbury Congregational Church, Tewksbury
Center. Burial with Fire Department and U.S. Navy Honors followed at the Tewksbury Cemetery. Memorial donations to VNA of Greater Lowell, PO Box
1965, Lowell MA 01853-1965 will be appreciated.