James B. Thomas' Obituary
James B. "Jim" Thomas, 70, of Baldwinsville, passed away October 11 at home after an aggressive eleven month battle with cancer of the small intestine.
He was born in Syracuse, the son of the late Ralph V. and Hilda M. (Kitt) Thomas. Jim graduated from Chittenango High School in 1961 and then went on to serve with the US Navy from 1961-1966. He was the Manager of Training and Technical Documentation with General Electric for 28 years and retired in 1994.
Jim was a well respected and loved coach of girls volleyball for over 20 years and could often be heard saying, “Success comes in cans!” He was the Administrator and coach for the Onondaga Volleyball Club from 1991-2012. He also coached Marcellus JV from 1997-2012 and was an assistant coach for the OCC Lady Lazers from 1994-1996.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Margaret J. (Halczyn) Thomas; his two beloved daughters, Heather (Michael) Clark of Liverpool and Michelle (Stanley) Williams of Birmingham, AL; five cherished grandchildren, Paul and Douglas Clark, Brooke, Jake, and Whitney Williams.
The family would like to thank the many anonymous blood donors who gave the gift of life to our Dad over the past 4 months, HOA-CNY, the Crouse nurses on 4-South for their dedication and love, and Hospice-CNY.
A Christian Victory Service celebrating memories of his life will be held on Tuesday at 10:00am at Pope John XXIII Church, Soule Road, Liverpool. Following, entombment with military honors at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery, 8668 Oswego Rd (Route 57), Baldwinsville. Family and friends may call at the THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME, 3401 Vickery Rd (corner of Buckley Rd), North Syracuse on Monday from 4:00 to 7:00pm Dad has noted that wearing black is not necessary.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his name to Hematology Oncology Associates of CNY, 5008 Brittonfield Pkwy, East Syracuse, NY 13057.
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