BENNINGTON -- Barlow Thomas II, 78, a longtime resident of Bennington, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2007, at home in Vero Beach, Fla., following a long and courageous battle with cancer. All who knew Barlow will appreciate the fact that he kept his spirits high and retained a strong and positive attitude, leaving us very peacefully. Born in Bennington on Feb. 3, 1929, he was the son of the late Barlow and Cora Thomas. Barlow received his education in the Bennington schools and married Margaret Guyette of Poultney, on July 13, 1957. Barlow lived for baseball and was forever an avid New York Yankees fan. He spent many loving years coaching Bennington youth little league and minor league players, and will be kindly remembered by all as a great coach and mentor. As a young man, Barlow also enjoyed stock car racing, and spent several years building stock cars with a couple buddies and driving in local races.Barlow was employed for many years by Home Furniture of Bennington and retired from the Bennington Banner. In 1991, following retirement, he moved to Vero Beach, Fla. As much as he loved the beach and the sand, he always longed for the beauty and tranquility of southern Vermont, and for many years continued to spend his summers in the Bennington area that he forever called home. He is survived by his wife Margaret of Vero Beach, Fla.; son, Barlow III of Burlington, Vt.; two daughters, Rosanne Mason of Melbourne, Fla., and Shirley Centinski of Merritt Island, Fla.; four children by marriage, Dorothy Salmon of Vero Beach, Fla., Katie Leduce of New Boston, N.H., Diane Medeiros of Lakeside, Calif., and Joe Medeiros of North Adams, Mass.; a brother, Leroy Thomas of Troy, N.Y.; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by two sisters, Ethel and Uwella, three brothers, Clifton, Albert and Ken, and a step daughter, Terri Hurley.Graveside funeral services for Barlow will be held on Saturday morning, Nov. 24, 2007, at 11 a.m. at his family’s lot in the Grandview Cemetery, North Bennington. Friends are invited to attend. There will be no visiting hours.Should friends desire, contributions in Barlow Thomas II’s memory may be made to the Bennington Little League, in care of Mahar & Son Funeral Home, 628 Main St., Bennington, VT 05201.