Hyde Park - Donald L. Thomas, 86, of Hyde Park, died at home on Tuesday, January 16, 2018.
Born on January 14, 1932 in Poughkeepsie,NY, he was the son of the late Louis and Gertrude Thomas of Poughkeepsie, NY. He was a 1950 graduate of Poughkeepsie High School. Don joined the U.S. Navy after graduating high school and served on a fuel tanker for 4 years in service of his country during the Korean War.
He worked at IBM in Poughkeepsie for 35 years as a traffic analyst until his retirement in 1993. He then joined Stop & Shop as an associate for 10 years to keep himself busy and spread his friendly demeanor with customers.
On September 22, 1962, he married Joanne Castiglione. She survives him in Hyde Park, NY.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son, Donald and Karol Thomas, of Hopewell Jct, NY; daughter, Michele and Paul Scorza, of Norwood, MA; siblings Barbara O'Brien of Hyde Park, NY and Billy Thomas of Poughkeepsie, NY; grandchildren, Michael and Meghan Scorza of Simpsonville, SC, Leigh and Dan Watson of Broad Brook, CT, Alexandra Scorza of Worcester, MA, Megan Scorza of Norwood, MA, and Nicholas Thomas of Hopewe...[more]
Jct., NY.
Don's life was highlighted by his family and friends along with his love of dancing (he was really light on his feet), golf, eating, and TV. To acknowledge his happy go lucky personality here is his senior quote from his high school year book - "Of this you have our sincere promise...The world will hear much of Don L. Thomas".
The family would also like to acknowledge and thank the staff and the friends he met at The Heart Center on 115 Delafield Street, Poughkeepsie for their care and support.
Calling hours will be from 4 to 8pm on Sunday, January 21st at the Michael Torsone Memorial Funeral Home, Inc., 218 Mill St, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. Wheelchair accessible entrance located in the rear of funeral home on Vassar St.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10am on Monday, January 22nd at Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel of St. Peter's Parish, 185 Hudson View Dr., Poughkeepsie.
Burial will follow with military honors in the family plot at St. Peter's Cemetery, Poughkeepsie.
In lieu of flowers, Don's family respectfully requests memorial donations to St Judes Children's Hospital or the American Heart Association.
To send the family an online condolence, or for directions, please visit www.torsonememorial.com.