Obituary of Bernard-Daniel Thomas

WATERVILLE - Bernard Daniel Thomas, 85, of Violette Avenue, died early Sunday, Jan. 31, 2010, at MaineGeneral Medical Center in Waterville.He was born in Waterville, Sept. 29, 1924, the son of Maroon and Habouba (Boulis) Thomas. He was the first born son of their 11 children.Bernie was a 1943 graduate of Waterville High School. He had been captain of the basketball team. He was a very talented athlete in both basketball and football. He had been a rural postal carrier for 20 years. Bernie loved to travel. During his retirement he enjoyed multiple trips to Florida, California and Las Vegas.Bernie was a member of the Waterville Lodge of Elks, Lebanon Youth Society, and a 37-year member of the American Legion Post No. 0005.Survivors include his wife Patricia (Poulin) Thomas of Waterville; two daughters, Nicole Leigh Harmon and her husband, Brock, of Fairfield and Michelle Lee Cothran of Waterville; two brothers, John "Jackie" Thomas of Waterville and Wayne and his wife, Charlotte Thomas, of Bradenton, Fla.; brother-in-law, Bill Joseph; sister-in-law, Shirley Thomas; and by many nieces and nephews.He was predeceased by his parents; brothers and sisters, Mary and her husband, Charles Noel, Francis Joseph, Marie and her husband, Joseph Smus, Marietta Thomas, Julia, Ann, Thomas, Joseph and Lewis Thomas.Bernie's family extends special thanks to the staff at the Early Bird Restaurant in Oakland for all the attention and care given to Dad during the past few years. He really appreciated all of his restaurant friends.Visiting hours will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, at the Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm St., Waterville, with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. The Liturgy of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 5, at St. Joseph Maronite Catholic Church, Front Street, Waterville with the Rev. Larry Jensen officiating and the Rev. Mr. Peter Joseph assisting. A mercy meal will be held at the church after the service. Burial will be in the St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, Grove Street, Waterville, in the spring.In lieu of flowers, donations in Bernie's memory may be made to St. Joseph Maronite Church Building Fund, 3 Appleton St., Waterville, ME 04901 or to Charley's Strays, P.O. Box 64, Clinton, ME 04927.