Obituary of John "Jack" Thomas

John F. "Jack" Thomas Sidney Center, NY John F. "Jack" Thomas, age 84, of Sidney Center, New York passed away on May 26, 2015. Born in Rockville Center, New York on August 2, 1930 to Edwin and Anna Thomas, he spent his early years near Ithaca, NY and on Long Island. He started his career in auto body repair where he was introduced to the love of his life, Dorothy Klee. They married on August 25, 1951 in Brooklyn, New York. Jack had enlisted in the US Army and was deployed to Korea shortly thereafter. A combat veteran of the United States Army Heavy Mortar Company, he served during the Korean War. For this service to his country, he was awarded the Korean Service Medal with two bronze service stars. He was wounded on October 28, 1952 in Chorwon, North Korea and returned to Ft. Hamilton Army Hospital, Brooklyn. He learned the trade of Auto Body Repair and started his career at Bills' Garage in Lynbrook, Long Island. In 1960, he moved his family to Masonville, New York and founded Sidney Auto Body on May 1, 1961. On January 1, 1987 he retired and his son Bill purchased the business. Jack served his community through his service to the Sidney School Board, the Delaware County Industrial Development Agency and the churches that he attended. He proudly served the people as supervisor of the Town of Masonville and Delaware County Board of Supervisors for 28 years. He is survived by Dottie, his loving wife of 63 years; his children: Bill (Linda) Thomas, Susan (Richard) Wakeman, John (Nancy) Thomas; a brother, Carl (Joanne) Thomas; sister, Maryanne (Tony) Kowalewski; grandchildren, whom he adored: Jim (Heather) Thomas, Gary Thomas, Matthew (Tiffany) Thomas, Michael (Rebecca) Wakeman, Laura (Brad) Haver, Elizabeth Wakeman, John (fiancée, Taylor) Gibson, and Chris Gibson; great-grandchildren: Caila, Cole, Jackson and Jenna Thomas. He touched each of their lives and shared many life lessons and words of wisdom with each of them. He loved his family deeply and will be greatly missed and never forgotten. He was predeceased by daughter and son-in-law Jacqueline and Doug Gibson, and two brothers Edwin and Robert Thomas. A memorial service will be held at the Sidney United Methodist Church, 12 Liberty St. Sidney, at 1:00 PM on Saturday, May 30, 2015. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family online at www.landersfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, Sidney.