Obituaries

Richard “Rich” Thomas, age 80 and a lifelong resident of West Scranton, passed away on Sunday at Geisinger Community Medical Center after an illness. He is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Emma (McDonald) Thomas. Wed on July 5, 1980, the couple were married for 44 years.

Born on April 1, 1944, and son of the late Gerald, Sr. and Deborah Thomas, Rich was a graduate of West Scranton High School, Class of 1962. He worked as a presser for Mayflower Manufacturing for over twenty years and spent ten years as a fork lift operator at Arlington Industries prior to his retirement.

Rich loved baseball and he was a fixture in Scranton’s Tavern Softball League for many years. Day and night, he was always maintaining his yard. Also a history buff, he had a collection of countless National Geographic books he read habitually. Above all else and to be remembered most, he was an awesome person who was a great husband, dad and grandpa.

Along with Emma, he is also survived by his sons, Richard “Ricky” Thomas, Jr. of Duryea and Shawn Thomas and companion Cheyenne Ostrowski of Luzerne; three grandchildren, Justin, Vada and River; and nieces and nephews.

The last of four Thomas brothers, he was preceded in death by Robert, Gerald and Edward.

Private arrangements with burial at Cathedral Cemetery are under the care of the Kevin K. Kearney Funeral Home, Inc., 125 N. Main Ave., Scranton.