Fred Thomas

Born in Ogden, UT on October 31, 1917 Departed on July 28, 2017 and resided in Riverdale, NYMemorial Visitation: Ballard Durand - White PlainsWednesday August 2, 2017 2:00pm to 4:00pmWednesday August 2, 2017 7:00pm to 9:00pmFuneral Service: Gate of Heaven CemeteryThursday August 3, 2017 11:00am

Fred Thomas, 99, died peacefully on July 28, 2017 in Riverdale, NY. Fred was born in Ogden, Utah, to Lebanese immigrants Azeezie Malouf and Ed Maalouf Thomas on October 31, 1917. He was pre-deceased by his wife Marie (Bez), his long-time companion Theresa Cirino, brothers Woodrow and Raymond, and his sister Juliet. He is survived by his loving children, daughters Marie Thomas (Jerry Larson) of San Diego, CA, Barbara Thomas Rooney (Michael Rooney), of Hartsdale, NY, and son Edward Thomas (Timothy Bryk), of Glen Rock, NJ. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law Eleanor Bez and Louise Thomas, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

After departing Ogden, Utah in 1924, his family moved to the Washington Heights community in upper Manhattan. In 1936 his father opened a dry goods store in Spur, Texas, but his mother didn't like life in Texas, nor being away from her family, and they moved back to New York within a year. During those years in New York, he helped his father with real estate holdings in Harlem.

Fred served in the U.S. Army (1941-45) as a Staff Sergeant in the 355th Infantry, Company "M." He was in Bermuda for much of the war. As part of the 89th Infantry Division he arrived in France in January 1945, following Patton after D-Day, went through Luxembourg, and ended up in Germany. In April 1945, he was among those soldiers who liberated Ohrdruf, a subcamp of Buchenwald.

Married in 1952, he and his family resided in the Bronx, first in University Heights, and then in Riverdale.
Much of his career was spent working in the garment industry in New York City. Fred loved to dance, especially disco. He was an avid reader all of his life. He enjoyed watching sci fi television shows like Star Trek, The Twilight Zone and The Outer Limits. He played volleyball into his 80s, and loved spending time at the Jersey shore.

He was a gentleman and a gentle man, who will be missed by all.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Fred's name are asked to consider St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105