George Thomas

Gettysburg, PA ' George L. Thomas, 96, of Mt. Joy Township and formerly of Cheshire and Waterbury passed away December 17, 2008 at his home in Gettysburg. He was the husband of the late Katharine F. (Meyerhans) Thomas.

Mr. Thomas was born May 12, 1912 in Waterbury the son of the late George and Rose (Letendresse) Thomas. He was a longtime Cheshire resident moving to Gettysburg in 2006. He was a Crosby High School Graduate having participated in football, track and swimming. During high school, Mr. Thomas obtained the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest level of Boy Scouts. Later in life he was recognized as being an Eagle Scout longer than any other Scout in Connecticut. He continued his education graduating from Dartmouth College in 1934. While at Dartmouth he pledged the Sigma Nu Fraternity, ran track and obtained college championships in boxing and wrestling.

Mr. Thomas' career led him to become the President and General Manager of both Electric Motor and Repair Company and the President and General Manager of Tubecraft, Inc. He later taught at Tyrrell School in Wolcott teaching 6th grade. After his retirement from Wolcott, Mr. Thomas was a substitute teacher at Cheshire High School from 1982 until 2006. He was so beloved by the students at the high school that the Class of 2006 dedicated their year book to him.

Mr. Thomas was very active in the community having been a founder, charter member and trustee of the Cheshire Fire Department Co. 2; a member of Temple Lodge No. 16 A.F. and A.M. in Cheshire and former Shriner; a 50 plus year member of the Y.M.C.A.; a former Constable and Republican Town Committee member; and member and past President of the Cheshire P.T.A. He was also a member of the Waterbury Chamber of Commerce; Waterbury Kiwanis Club and was a former secretary and treasurer of Naugatuck Valley Dartmouth Association and Dartmouth Connecticut State Alumni.

Mr. Thomas is survived by his three devoted daughters Deborah F. Thomas of Gettysburg, PA, Susan D. Smith and her husband Brian of Durango, CO, Wendy L. Bruchey and her husband Ken of Emmitsburg, MD; his grandsons Sean Smith and his wife Sara, Greg Smith and his wife Tiffany; his great grandchildren Cian Smith, Caden Smith, Rial Smith and Morrissey Smith.

Arrangements ' Funeral services will be held on Monday December 29, 2008, 11 a.m. at the Slater Funeral Home, 242 S. Main St., Cheshire. Burial will follow in Old Pine Grove Cemetery in Waterbury. Calling hours will be held on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Lutheran Home Care and Hospice, 1075 Old Harrisburg Dr., Gettysburg, PA 17325.