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Obituary for Joseph W. Thomas
Joseph W. Thomas passed away at home in the care of his family July 25, 2013. He was 73 years young.
Born February 10, 1940 in the family home on the 800 block of Lakewood Street in Detroit, Michigan, Joe was one of three children, and the only son, born to parents Evelyn Marie (Thibodeau) and Joseph James Thomas. Joe and his sisters were raised in the family home in Detroit. When Joe was in High School, his father�s career with Ford Motor Company brought the family to Buffalo, NY where they settled in the small town of Hamburg. Joe graduated from Hamburg High School in 1958.
After his graduation from high school, Joe continued his studies, and, in 1960, at the age of 20, he enlisted in the United States Navy where he served our nation from the USS Douglas H. Fox, a destroyer. In 1961, he married Nancy C. Mitosinka of Garden City, Michigan. Joe was honorably discharged in 1964 to the Naval Reserve. It was at this time that Joe began preparations for his career that would eventually create the legacy of J.W.Thomas & Company. In his time as both owner and general contractor, Joe completed projects large and small, from special apparatuses at the Greenfield Village to a beautiful oak bar in his eldest daughter�s walk-out lower-level.
Joe and Nancy were blessed with the births of their daughters, Ellen and Laura, and son, Christopher. Joe watched the family grow with the additions of his sons-in-law, Peter and David, and the dawning of the generations with the births of his grandchildren Alex and Lindsey.
Joe loved traveling, cooking, woodworking, and animals, particularly his pet families. He followed the Local Fox News every morning and liked to read the Sunday Detroit Free Press. He was recently preceded in death by his beloved cocker spaniel, Tag, and is survived by Bentley, a beloved maltese-shitzu whom he has entrusted to his granddaughter, Lindsey. He loved to go to auctions and garage sales. In his work, he recovered unique artifacts from old buildings before they were demolished. He never missed spaghetti dinner night at MVP�s, a lounge in Milford, where he recently made many friends.
Joe was well-liked and deeply loved by all who knew him. He will be remembered as a highly talented self-taught engineer and woodworker. Joe leaves a legacy of respect for his many talents and the love of his family.
He is survived by his daughters, Ellen Kay (Peter Bundarin) Thomas, Laura Marie (David) Maisevich, and son, Christopher Joseph Thomas; and their mother, Nancy C. Thomas; grandchildren, Alex Joseph Maisevich and Lindsey Marie Maisevich; siblings, Joyce (Mel) Johnson and Gale (Joe) Talbot; also many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.
Funeral Service to be held from Lynch & Sons Funeral Directors, 600 E. Main St., Brighton on Sunday, July 28, at 3:30 PM. The Rev. Dr. Sherry Parker to officiate. Friends may visit beginning at 1:00 PM until time of service.
Memorial contributions encouraged to the American Kidney Fund, 11921 Rockville Pike Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852.
For further information, please phone Lynch & Sons, Brighton at 810.229.2905
