Raymond John Thomas, 81, of Blakeslee Avenue, North Haven, passed away Tuesday, October 18, 2011 at the Masonic Health Care Center, Wallingford. He was the husband of 52 years to Sonia Kocur Thomas. Born in Yonkers, New York on June 25, 1930; son of the late John and Eleanor Ockasi Thomas. Raymond received a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Manhattan College in 1952 and a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Columbia University in 1959 and had worked as an Analytical Chemist for the Olin Corporation for over 30 years until his retirement in 1992. Raymond had served his country faithfully in the U.S. Army Military Police during the Korean War; was an avid golfer and bowler; enjoyed playing bridge; was a parishioner of St. Frances Cabrini Church where he was a former member of the Religious Education Board and Usher. Father of Barbara J. Thomas and her husband William M. Clem of Bethesda, Md., Raymond M. Thomas and his wife Beth of Canandaigua, NY, Patricia Sedaille and her husband Brian of Wallingford. Grandfather of Kathryn, Rebecca and Ross Clem, Grace and Grant Thomas, Samantha and Jennifer Stewart. Predeceased by a brother Michael Thomas.
His funeral procession will leave the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue, Monday morning at 9:30. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated in St. Frances Cabrini Church at 10:00 am. Interment with full military honors will follow in All Saints Cemetery. The visiting hours will be Sunday from 3 to 5 pm. Should friends desire memorial contributions may be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association, 27 Allendale Dr., North Haven, CT 06473.
Dear Dad, we love you and miss you. You will always be in our hearts. Love, Barbara, Michael, Katie, Rebecca and Andrew
Dear Aunt Sonia, Barbara, Ray, Patti, and all your families,
I remember Uncle Ray as such a kind and warm man; always with that twinkle in his eye. You’re in my thoughts and prayers; may God bless you with his comfort and love.
Love,
Diana & Denny
Dear Uncle Ray, you were always and will always be my favorite uncle, and are remembered with great love and respect. Love, Pete
Dear Dr. Ray Thomas, Beth, Grace, + Grant, + the rest of your family, We know how special your father + grandfather was to you. Keep all your favorite memories of him close to your hearts. Our thoughts + prayers are with you. Take care + may the Lord’s peace be with you. Love, Pam + Joel
Dear Aunt Sonia, Barbara, Ray, and Patti, and all of your family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all as we remember Uncle Ray.
We know he is at peace and wish we could be with you. We will be thinking of you, especially during the next few days.
With love, Dan and Maura
Uncle Ray is my godfather. I always remember him calm, easy going and always smiling. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love, Natalka, Greg and Yuliana
Dear Dad, we love you and miss you. You will always be in our hearts. Love, Barbara, Michael, Katie, Rebecca and Andrew.
I love you grandpa
Thank you for being such a great father
I miss you and love you Grandpa. You continue to inspire me in all your accomplishments, and I hope to someday do some of what you have done in your lifetime.
“Our friends we now must leave thee, we go our way though grieved be,
A strange land soon we’ll meet, we pray that come the morrow,
Our joys will grow from sorrow, when we again shall meet,
When we again shall meet.”
Love you Grandpa, see you soon.