ERIC ALBERT THOMAS

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ERIC ALBERT THOMAS We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our Dad, Eric Thomas on January 4, 2005. He was 80 years old. Eric was predeceased by his sister Mary; his brothers, Ken and Bob and his great-grandchild Paige. He is survived by his brother Ernie (Pat). Eric will be greatly missed by his wife of 51 years, Isabel; his five children, Greg (Ramona), Susan (David), Doug (Robin), Sandra (Jan) and Judy and his five grandchildren, Jennifer (Ryan), Amanda, Guinness, Rachel and Tatum. Eric was born in Winnipeg on October 30, 1924, the eldest of five children, and grew up in the North End. After graduating from St. John's High School he joined the Naval Reserve and served in the North Atlantic during the war, attaining the rank of Stoker Petty Officer. After the war, he worked as a machinist, ran an automotive shop specializing in modifying stock car motors and later worked as an analyst at John Wood Co. In 1959 he joined Dominion Bridge Company where he became the Branch Industrial Engineer before being transferred to Vancouver in 1965. He moved up through the ranks and by 1973 was directing a workforce of 400 tradesmen and 30 professionals. When DB downsized Eric chose to keep his family in Burnaby rather than accept a promotion to the U.S. In 1977 he joined the City of Vancouver and for the next dozen years, until his retirement in 1989, was Shops Superintendent at Manitoba Works Yard. Eric was an active member of the church, the chamber of commerce, the Royal Canadian Legion and for a time sat on the board of the Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion (formerly BAMH). He coached kids in hockey, baseball and soccer and was an executive with the South Burnaby Men's Club in the late 1960's and early 1970's, helping to develop their baseball program. He was often seen (and...heard) on the sidelines of his kids' soccer and baseball games. In his younger days he curled and bowled competitively and was a tournament bridge player; his love of these games continued into his later years. Eric was a keen and studious golfer and played McCleery weekly after his retirement. He umpired both senior men's baseball and fastball for many years. He had a passion for crossword puzzles and learning new things. He enjoyed music and played his guitar often. Eric was a man of endless curiosity, strength, versatility and intelligence; he was analytical, resourceful and he could fix pretty much anything. He was a very private and proud man, gruff and stubborn at times...but he was much loved by his family and we will miss him deeply. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, January 13 at 10:00 a.m. in the chapel of Ocean View Funeral Home, 4000 Imperial St., Burnaby. Memorial donations can be made to the Canadian Diabetes Foundation or The Salvation Army.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 09, 2005