Winthrop Thomas

Winthrop D. Thomas, beloved husband, Dad, Papa- died at 89 years old with family by his side on May 28, 2022. That day was as good as any other, as he would have reflected “six one, half dozen the other.” At the time of his passing, he was married to his lovely bride Shirley after their “magical day” on which they were married 4 years ago. Our Dad was a sweet and gentle man with a large generous heart. Win was never small, as his sister Priscilla told us, “He was born big, was always big, and then became a big man, and he lived accordingly.” He was born to a family of teamsters and having lost his Dad when he was only 4 years old, he emulated and adored his grandfather who had the last farm in Belmont, Mass. He spent a lot of time as a boy with his grandfather driving draft horses, plowing, and hauling. Summers were spent taking trains from Belmont to his father’s family farm in Nova Scotia. He would go on a train by himself all that way.  He enlisted in the Air Force and earned his master mechanic license in Rotary Engine mechanics and served during the Korean War.

He married Doris French after the service and they had 4 children together. He raised his family in Carlisle, Mass where he was so proud to have found a beautiful home surrounded by willow trees and a giant working cranberry bog. In addition to working his regular job he worked on the weekends at a dairy farm in Concord, Mass. His children have fond memories of him driving with them on his knee on giant farm tractors while he hayed a field or chopped corn, helping to name the cows on the farm, helping him bale hay. He made a loving, stable home for his family. We will be forever grateful.

His love of animals found volunteering to drive the horse driven hayrides in a local apple orchard, fostering seeing eye dogs, developing a great love for his dog Fred, the dog with the best face, but who was too friendly to graduate. Dad is remembered as a man who was reliable, kind, with a nature that made you smile at his fun, dry sense of humor. “You are so cute, Dad!” was always met with a resounding, “Yeah, that and 50 cents will get you a cup of coffee!” Dad reminded us to “always eat your beans- they put hair on your chest”, to take a chance to “make a short story long”, to find a way to make life a little easier by not complaining, to work hard, find someone to love and share life with, and appreciate the ride.

He is survived by his wife Shirley Wilson, his sister Priscilla Ham, his children Elaine Thomas, David Thomas and his wife Donna Thomas, Douglas Thomas, and Carol West and her husband Jonathan West. He also leaves many grandchildren and great grandchildren. His family will miss him every day.

ARRANGEMENTS: Assisting the family with arrangements is the Cremation Society of NH, Hampton. To view Win's Online Tribute, send condolences to the family, or for more information, visit www.csnh.com.