BANGOR – Ernest D. Thomas, 79, died Sept. 13, 2006, surrounded by his family at his home. He was born Feb. 2, 1927, in Mars Hill, the son of Harley W. and Emma A. (Sennett) Thomas. He left high school to join the Navy in World War II where he served as a third class petty officer aboard the USS Amadore in Lehay Gulf, the Philippines and the Pacific theater. He was ultimately awarded his high school diploma in 2004. He was a handsewer with Bangor Shoe Manufacturing Co., and at age 44 he earned his master plumber’s license and retired from the Bangor Housing Authority after 25 years. Mr. Thomas was an active member of Glad Tidings Church for 59 years, where he served as head usher for 50 years, was a board member and was superintendent of the Sunday school program and most recently had attended the Rock Church. He enjoyed playing golf with friends and watching the Boston Red Sox. Surviving are his wife, Doris Craig Thomas of Bangor; two daughters, Bonnie “BJ” Thomas Hawley and her husband, Rev. Don Hawley, of Charleston, S.C. and Mairead Arie “Peggy” Steina and her husband, Helmut Koch, of Eddington; four grandchildren, Sheri Kirsch and her husband, Henry, of Danville, N.J., Shawna Prill and her husband, Jason, of Fayetteville, N.C., Ryan Koch of Fairbanks, Alaska, Cpl. Cristin Bower and her husband, Sgt. Daniel Bower, U.S.M.C. of 29 Palms, Calif.; five great-grandchildren, Jason Tate Prill, Tate Linus Koch, Trinity Ann Bower, Korah Dawn Bower and Kyle Thomas Kirsch; two sisters, Thelma (Thomas) Craig of Olympia, Wash., and Norma Berry of Granby, Conn.; one brother, Rev. Vinal Thomas of Miami; four stepchildren, Cindy Lavertu and her husband, Dana, of Veazie, Mark Craig of Georgia, Cathy Bemis and her husband, Richard, of Levant, Lisa Winters and her husband, Rev. Kirk Winters; several stepgrandchildren and great-stepgrandchildren; a sister-in-law, Ruth (Henderson) Colford; many nieces, nephews and loved ones; special friends, Bud and Marlene Farren. Mr. Thomas was predeceased by his wife of 40 years, Ethel (Henderson) Thomas; and several sisters and brothers. He was a very sensitive, loving, generous man whose sense of humor and joy of life will be missed by many. Relatives and friends are welcome to call 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor, where funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 18, with the Rev. Vinal Thomas, the Rev. Don Hawley and the Rev. Kirk Winters, officiating. Interment will be at Woodlawn Cemetery, Brewer. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com
ERNEST DONALD THOMAS
