Avis de décès de Sidney Thomas

Dr. Sidney Thomas November 6, 2009 Dr. Sidney Thomas, professor of art history at Syracuse University from 1961 until his retirement, died November 6 at age 93. He was born in 1915 and was brought up in the Bronx as part of a close extended family. Graduating from City College in New York, he went on to obtain a Ph.D. in English from Columbia University before enlisting in the army to fight in World War II, ending the war as a POW in Stalag VIIA at Moosburg near Munich. On his return he began his academic career as a Shakespearean scholar and teacher, writing many respected articles in this field. Standing up to the scourge of McCarthyism in the 1950s, he sacrificed his academic job rather than agree to "name names." His moral courage and commitment to social justice continued throughout his life, and he eventually returned to academia as an art historian at Syracuse, though when possible he continued to teach Shakespeare as well. Married for almost 70 years to his beloved wife Rae, they moved to the Nottingham retirement community in 2005, where he quickly made many friends, continuing to give talks there into his nineties, as well as regularly playing bridge. Though beset by serious illness in his final years, he met it with astounding courage and passion for life. He is survived by his wife, Rae; his sister, Martha; his brother, Bernie; his children, David, and Deborah and Dave Ellis; his granddaughter, Natasha; and many valued friends. He will be sorely missed. Services will be private. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Syracuse Friends of Chamber Music. GINSBURG MALOFF FUNERAL HOME Serving the Jewish families of Central New York with distinction since 1986, whose needs have changed but values have not Please sign the guestbook at syracuse.com/obits