Richard D. Thomas, 63, a resident of Methuen, MA., passed away on Thursday at home.
The son of the late Michael J. and Evelyn M. (Morrison) Thomas, he was born in Methuen, MA. on July 12, 1944. Mr. Thomas was raised in Methuen and educated the Methuen Schools. He later lived in various places throughout the Merrimack Valley. Mr. Thomas worked as a mechanic at Old Colony as well as drove Tractor Trailer for Frank C. Meyers. He most recently retired from Amtrak and the MBTA in Boston in 2006. Mr. Thomas was a United States Army Veteran during the Vietnam War having served for several years in Korea with the 17th Infantry Division. He was honorably discharged in 1968.
Mr. Thomas was a member of the Lawrence British Club, the Bavarian Club, and a past member of the Pelham American Legion Post 100. He was an avid sports fan of the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots.
Mr. Thomas was the loving father of Penny E. Thomas of Haverhill, MA. who loved him and will miss him greatly.
Besides his daughter Penny, other surviving family members include:
his brothers: Francis "Buddy" Thomas and his wife Sandy of Methuen, MA., James K. "Jimmy" Thomas and his wife Judy of Miami, FL., Michael "Mickey" Thomas and his wife Janet of Lawrence, MA., William "Billy" Thomas and his companion Gerry Klier of Bennettsville, S.C., and Daniel "Danny" Thomas of Haverhill, MA.
his sisters: Carol "Kiyo" (Thomas) Gioia and her husband Frank of Methuen, MA., and Nancy H. (Thomas) McNutt of Londonderry, NH.
Mr. Thomas is also survived by his friend and mother of his daughter Penny, Devena R. "Dena" Wilson-LeFave of Haverhill, MA.
his mother-in-law: Marguerite "Peggy" Wilson of Methuen, MA., as well as his friend Ghislaine "G" St. Pierre of Lawrence, MA. He was also loved by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces ,great-nephews, and had a very special place in his heart for Zachary F. Ducharme of Lawrence, MA., and Baby Danny Christopher Tchir of Haverhill, MA.
Mr. Thomas was also the brother of the late Charles "Chucky" Thomas who had lived in both Methuen, MA. and Miami FL., as well as brother-in-law of the late Rosary A. Papatola.
A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 at 10:30 A.M at the John Breen Memorial Funeral Home, Inc., 122 Amesbury St., Lawrence, MA. Burial will follow in the Veteran's section of the Bellevue Cemetery, also in Lawrence.
Family and friends may call on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 from 4 to 8 P.M. at the Funeral Home.
To send an online condolence or for more information, please go to www.breenfuneralhome.com.