Walter D. Thomas, 75, of Lewiston, Maine died Wednesday, December 30, 2009, at Central Maine Medical Center. Born in Brockton, MA, on August 14, 1934, he was the son of Cyril and Doris Braley Thomas. Raised and educated in Abington, MA, he graduated from Abington High School, Class of 1952, attended University of Massachusetts Amherst, and, later in life, earned a degree in mathematics from Bridgewater State College. In 1955 he joined the U.S. Navy, and trained as a blimp pilot stationed at Lakehurst, NJ. He switched to flying Lockheed P2V Neptunes for many years, retiring in 1977 as a Lt. Commander. A Shriner and a Mason, he was a member of the Aleppo Temple, was the lodge master at the John Cutler Lodge, and was a long-time member of the Abington Lion’s Club. His wife, Evelyn Murphy Trottier Thomas, predeceased him. Survivors include his first wife, Eva Dimond Harris of Florida, one son, Barry Thomas and wife Brenda of Topsfield, ME, two daughters, Deborah Thomas of Rutland Town, VT, and Patricia Thomas of Pittsford, VT, and five grandchildren, William, Brian, Alison, Jacob and Caroline Thomas.
His memorial service will be held on Saturday January 9th at 2:00PM in the Blanchard Funeral Chapel Plymouth Street (Rt. 58 at the rotary). His visitation will be held one hour prior to his service from 1:00-2:00PM In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Massachusetts Lion’s Eye Research Fund, Inc., C/O PDG William T. Murphy, Treasurer, P.O. Box 0650, New Bedford, MA 02742, or to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, Office of Development 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa FL.33607,