Obituary of Dale A Thomas

Dale A. Thomas, Sr. BROOKS - Dale A. Thomas, Sr., 74, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on April 4, 2013, after a long battle with cardiac and pulmonary illness. He was born in China, Maine on February 5, 1939, the son of the late William and Ester (Bragdon) Thomas and the thirteenth child of a family of seventeen. Dale grew up at the family farm on Knox Ridge. He settled in Brooks, Maine in 1959 with his wife Beatrice (Moody) Thomas where they started their family. Dale worked for Delmont Clark for 25 years before starting his own business, Dale A. Thomas and Sons, Inc., in 1982. The business manufactured agricultural equipment and later Thomas Band Saw Mill. Through the years, Dale was very active in the community. He was a founding member of the Brooks Ambulance Service, a member and past president of the Brooks Booster Club, a member of the Brooks Fire Department, Harvest Home Grange, Marsh River Lodge, and Planning Board as well as a Boy Scout leader. Dale enjoyed spending time with his family camping, hunting, fishing, and traveling as well as spending time at deer camp in Troy. Having an array of interests, he was accomplished in engineering, design, art, restoration of antique tractors and some would say a philosopher. He took great pride in providing his grandchildren with life lessons and stressing the importance of a common sense approach to life. Dale enjoyed the Fourth of July parades in Brooks, building many artistic floats including Thomas the Train, airplane, spider, full-size stage coach and buck board. He has instilled his ideals, passions and love within his family. Dale will be deeply missed by his wife Beatrice (Moody) Thomas of 52 years; son Dale Jr., wife Patsy and grandson Dale III; son Kendall and grand- daughter Melissa Potter; son James, wife Cathy and grand-daughter Alexandria; and son Jonathan, grand-daughter Austyn and grandson Jonathan II. He is survived by brothers: Claude Thomas and wife Marion, and Bernard Thomas and his brother-in-law, George Moody and his wife Leola. He also has many special nieces and nephews. Special friends include Frank and Joanne Finley, and Neal and Jeanette Gay and their families. He was predeceased by sisters: Elnora Shaw, Millie Livermore, Shirley Thomas, Arlene Thomas, and brothers; Richard, Arthur, Grant, Neil, Gary, Robert, Carl, Bill and Lowell Thomas. A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, April 13, 2013 at the Brooks Pentecostal Church located at 178 Monroe Highway Brooks, Maine with a gathering at the Church afterwards. Private committal will take place at a later date in the spring. Friends who wish may contribute to the Brooks Ambulance Service, 55 Reynolds Road, Brooks, ME 04921. Arrangements made by Riposta Funeral Home, Belfast, Maine. To offer condolences to the Thomas family please visit www.ripostafh.com. A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, April 13, 2013 at the Brooks Pentecostal Church located at 178 Monroe Highway Brooks, Maine with a gathering at the Church afterwards. Private committal will take place at a later date in the spring. Friends who wish may contribute to the Brooks Ambulance Service, 55 Reynolds Road, Brooks, ME 04921.