IVOR WILLIAM (BILL) THOMAS

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IVOR WILLIAM (BILL) THOMAS After a brief illness, Bill passed away on February 25, 2005 at the Grace Hospital. He is survived by his beloved wife Dorothy (Kozar); son Frank (Joan) Thomas of San Diego, CA and grandchildren, Jeff, Jill and Megan; son Bill (Nancy) Thomas of Vancouver, BC and grandchildren, Jasmine, Amanda and Marie; daughter Pamela (Bill) Unrau of Calgary, AB and granddaughter Kim; and daughter Alyson (Glen) Kennedy of Winnipeg. He was predeceased by his late wife Vivianne (St. Goddard) in 1991. He is also survived by his step-children, Diane Lough of Winnipeg, Gerard Wright of Cowichan Bay, Elvin and Verne Kozar of Winnipeg, eight step-grandchildren, and two step-great-grandchildren. Bill was born in Manchester, England on January 1, 1921. He joined the R.A.F. in 1941 and come to Canada to #33 Flying Training School at Carberry, MB as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. He returned to England as a trained pilot with the rank of pilot officer and joined R.A.F. Bomber Command flying Lancaster Bombers. He was shot down over Germany in 1943 and was imprisoned in Stalag Luft III for two years. After the War, he immigrated to Canada and was employed by C.N. Rail in Winnipeg utilizing his civil engineering degree as design engineer in the Bridge Department. He retired in 1982 as the Regional Engineer, Bridges and Structures. During his working years, he was a member of the Institution of Structural Engineers, United Kingdom; Association of Professional Engineers, Manitoba; and the Association of American Railroad Engineers, Chicago. Bill was an avid reader and enjoyed participating in and viewing curling. He was very much a private person, but displayed his warmth and wry sense of humour, even during his illness. His unwavering devotion and loyalty to Dorothy will be forever appreciated by the Kozar family. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff of Grace Hospital. Cremation has taken place and private graveside service will occur for the immediate family at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of one's choice. Arrangements entrusted to: GLEN LAWN FUNERAL HOME 455 LAGIMODIERE BLVD. 982-7550

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 28, 2005