Edward S. Thomas

Edward S. Thomas, 100, of Plainfield Pike, Coventry, RI, passed away on Saturday, December 30, 2017 at Woodpecker Hill Nursing Home, Coventry, RI. Born in Cumberland, RI, he was the husband of the late Cecelia C. (Chambers) Thomas and the son of the late Samuel and Lillian (Carpenter) Thomas.

Edward was a fire fighter for twenty-five years at Quonsett Point Naval Air Station, North Kingstown, RI until retiring in 1971. He was a US Army Veteran serving in WWII He joined the RI National Guard, 178th Engineers in 1936 and was called to active duty with the 43rd Infantry Division in February of 1941. He saw combat with the 43rd Calvary Reconnaissance Troop for three years in the Asiatic-Pacific. He was the past commander of the RI Chapter of the 423rd Infantry Division Veterans Association, a member of Coventry Memorial Post, a member of the Veterans of Foreign War, Post 104, a life member of the Maurice H. Pion Post 17, a member of the Disable American Veterans of West Warwick, a member of Chapter 116 Providence and the National Association of Retired Federal Employees.

He is survived by three daughters; Ruth C. Spencer, Joyce C. Lopes and Mary E. Almeida, a brother; Robert Thomas, nine grandchildren, twenty great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren. He was predeceased a brother; Kemal Thomas and four sisters; Cora Gonsalves, Alice Castle, Dorothy Froment and Lillian Thomas.

A funeral home service will be held on Friday, January 5, 2018 at 10:00 am in the Gorton-Menard Funeral Home & Crematory, 721 Washington Street, Coventry, RI. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, January 4, 2018 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. Burial with military honors will be in the RI Veterans Cemetery, Exeter, RI.

For online condolences please visit www.gortonmenardfuneralhome.com

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