MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA: Leroy J. “Lee” Thomas, 76, passed away Tuesday evening, May 10, 2011 at the Addison Gilbert Hospital with his daughter by his side. He was the husband of the late Gertrude “Trudy” (Muller-Kulenkampff) Thomas, who died in October 1985.
Born in St. Louis, Missouri on March 30, 1935, he was the son of the late Rollie H. and Frances E. (Burns) Thomas. He was a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, having received his BS in chemical engineering.
Lee was employed as a sales representative for many years for Allied Chemicals. Along with Trudy, he founded Thomas Associates, Inc., providing chemicals to the electronic industry as a manufacturer’s representative. He had also formerly been an active member of the Connecticut Chemical Club.
A resident of Cape Ann since the mid 1960’s, he was active in several local organizations including the Manchester Republican Town Committee and the Manchester Housing Authority.
An avid golfer, he was a longtime member of the Essex Country Club. A loving and devoted husband, father and brother, he will be greatly missed.
In addition to his daughter, Elisabeth F. Thomas, he is survived by his brother, Rollie E., husband of Dolores Thomas of Quincy, IL; his sister, Marcella, wife of Kenneth Humphrey of St. Louis, MO, a sister-in-law, Nora, wife of Edgar Etz of Germantown, MD; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and dear friends.
His funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday morning in the Sacred Heart Church, Manchester-by-the-Sea at 10 a.m. Visiting hours will be held on Friday evening in the Pike-Grondin, 61 Middle Street, Gloucester from 4 – 7 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the American Parkinson’s Disease Assoc., 715 Albany St., Boston, MA 02118. Interment will be held in the Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Manchester-by-the-Sea.