Richard George Thomas
After a month of fun, work with his Louisiana family, while on his way to visit his Florida family, stopping in Tallahassee, Richard George Thomas went to be with his Heavenly family on November 30, 2016.
He had such great love for his life partner of 55 years, Marilyn Paleczny Thomas. Richard was proud of his children Barbara (Mark Chauvin - Abita Springs, Louisiana), Mark (Liz Montgomery – Cambridge), and Matthew (Christine Cavallin – Cambridge). He was Super-Hero Grandpa to Nicole Beech (Trevor), Amy Perry (Logan & Savannah), Noelle Montgomery (Matt), Rachel McCoy (Brody, Kaitlyn), Luke Thomas Chauvin, Graeme, Noah, Tiana, Grace, Jacob, & Emma Thomas and Emily Putnik, grand-daughter of his heart. In Heaven, he will join Grandson, Michael Adam, who he loved so much through all these years.
He loved all his Paleczny siblings: Ray (Sally), Sister Barb SSND, Jack (Diana Lyn), Betty Anne Field, Deb McLachlin, Tim, Dan (Suzanne), Ed (Jackie), and step-siblings Heather (Dave) Beirnes, Connie Bisch and Harold Loughran and all their many children. What a family he was blessed with through his move to Canada. Richard was born in Milwaukee and raised in California, predeceased by his parents George Thomas and Mary and Ken Hamilton. Brother Gerald and special cousin, Ronnie. Also, Marilyn’s parents John Paleczny and Florence and Carl Loughran. Survived by “sister” Lois and Tom Cizmus of Florida, nephew Gerald (Karen) Duncan (Oklahoma City) and hundred friends who have torn up the Internet with love, admiration and condolences. At his parish of St. Aloysius, he served as a greeter and Eucharist minister. He was a proud 4th Degree member of the K-W Knights of Columbus and the Kitchener Legion. In Richard’s youth, he served the US Army in Korea and was a proud recipient of the OPP Commissioner’s Citation for Bravery.
For 30 years he and Marilyn owned and operated Lakeside Village also known as “McDick’s Place”. In winter, he often worked with Marilyn at the Bruce County Education Centre where he was dubbed, “Mr. Suds”, by the children. Richard, even though, he suffered throughout his life with late diagnosed learning disabilities, severe arthritis, and heart disease, he became a talented DYI enthusiast and a wise advisor especially of youth learning to live well in this world.
Cremation has taken place.
A “Celebration of Life” service planned by his children and grand-children will take place on Saturday December 10, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel of the Henry Walser Funeral Home, 507 Frederick St., Kitchener (519-749-8467), after visitation Friday evening, December 9th from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
At his request, no flowers. “They belong to nature”. Donations to the work of Sister Barbara Paleczny in South Sudan can be made through the funeral home. He brought laughter and friendship wherever he went. So, let’s “pay it forward”, the joy he gave us, this Christmas Season! Heaven needed another hero and we’ve sent ours on ahead.