James J. Thomas, 90, passed away July 1, 2015, at a Bangor healthcare facility. He was born September 27, 1924, in Sanford, the son of Gordon and Dorothy (Logan) Thomas.
Jim graduated from Orono High School in 1942. He worked at F. H. McGary Optical for 24 years and was manager of Fashion Eyeware for 20 years. Jim was a member of Rising Virtue Lodge #10 AF & AM, Moriah Royal Chapter #6, and Anah Shriners of Bangor. He was a past president of the Bangor Brewer Shrine Club and rode in the Shriner Motor Cycle Corps for 10 years. His love of flying led him to his goal of having his Private Pilot’s license and Jim was always ready to take anyone who wanted to go for a ride. Family was his life and there are many remembered camping trips and adventures that often involved boating and fishing. Jim loved his years as a member of the Hammond Street Senior Center where he was an active fitness class participant as well as the Bingo Caller. His lively sense of humor and ready smile always made him very popular with both friends and family. He had a very sensitive side that was seemingly contagious to many others in his family.
He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Ella (Ricker) Thomas; four daughters, Paula Thomas and husband Stephen Hughes of Brewer, Kathryn Bernier and husband Thomas of Bangor, Janice Farmer and husband Larry of Hendersonville, NC, Diane Paine and husband Charles of Hermon; a son, John Thomas and wife Natalie of Middletown, CT; grandchildren, Heidi Gosselin and husband Ed, Troy Swett and wife Nichole, Amanda Brooks and husband Jacob, Monica French, Alexandra Farmer and fiancé Jarron Curatolo; Jillian Rowan and husband Sam, Nicole LaPlante and husband Shawn; step-grandchildren, Jessica Paine, Matthew Paine and his wife Andreea; great-grandchildren, Lily Bernier, Braeden Swett, Brooklyn Swett, Ella Rowan, James Rowan, and Arabella Brooks.
A celebration of life memorial service will be held 11 AM, Tuesday, July 7, at Brooking-Smith, 133 Center Street, Bangor. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center Street, Bangor, following the service. Private interment will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery at a later date. Those wishing to honor Jim’s memory may donate to the Hammond Street Senior Center at 2 Hammond St., Bangor, ME 04401. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.
Jim graduated from Orono High School in 1942. He worked at F. H. McGary Optical for 24 years and was manager of Fashion Eyeware for 20 years. Jim was a member of Rising Virtue Lodge #10 AF & AM, Moriah Royal Chapter #6, and Anah Shriners of Bangor. He was a past president of the Bangor Brewer Shrine Club and rode in the Shriner Motor Cycle Corps for 10 years. His love of flying led him to his goal of having his Private Pilot’s license and Jim was always ready to take anyone who wanted to go for a ride. Family was his life and there are many remembered camping trips and adventures that often involved boating and fishing. Jim loved his years as a member of the Hammond Street Senior Center where he was an active fitness class participant as well as the Bingo Caller. His lively sense of humor and ready smile always made him very popular with both friends and family. He had a very sensitive side that was seemingly contagious to many others in his family.
He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Ella (Ricker) Thomas; four daughters, Paula Thomas and husband Stephen Hughes of Brewer, Kathryn Bernier and husband Thomas of Bangor, Janice Farmer and husband Larry of Hendersonville, NC, Diane Paine and husband Charles of Hermon; a son, John Thomas and wife Natalie of Middletown, CT; grandchildren, Heidi Gosselin and husband Ed, Troy Swett and wife Nichole, Amanda Brooks and husband Jacob, Monica French, Alexandra Farmer and fiancé Jarron Curatolo; Jillian Rowan and husband Sam, Nicole LaPlante and husband Shawn; step-grandchildren, Jessica Paine, Matthew Paine and his wife Andreea; great-grandchildren, Lily Bernier, Braeden Swett, Brooklyn Swett, Ella Rowan, James Rowan, and Arabella Brooks.
A celebration of life memorial service will be held 11 AM, Tuesday, July 7, at Brooking-Smith, 133 Center Street, Bangor. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center Street, Bangor, following the service. Private interment will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery at a later date. Those wishing to honor Jim’s memory may donate to the Hammond Street Senior Center at 2 Hammond St., Bangor, ME 04401. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.
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