Obituary for Frank A. Thomas
Frank A. “Frankie” Thomas, 80, of East Brookfield and formerly of Auburn, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 20, 2020 at his home, surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Worcester, raised and educated in Auburn, Frankie was one of ten children born to the late Frank E. and Irma L. (Batchelor) Thomas. He attended Auburn High School, prior to beginning a career in trucking. Frank first worked for Hood Co. out of Worcester, for almost two decades, then went on to work for Quaboag Transfer Co. in Palmer. He retired in 2002 from FLEXcon Co. in Spencer, where he dedicated 15 years as a sheeter operator.
Being the youngest of a large family, Frank was an awesome storyteller, mostly “jokes.” He loved spending time with friends, family, and his dog Bella, who was his faithful companion throughout his illness, and working on his yard and garden. Frank took great pleasure in showing and helping the kids to fish and hunt – he was an avid hunter and fisherman, who loved fishing the Cape Cod Canal for stripers and hunting in Vermont. Frank was also a longtime member of the Brookfield Rod & Gun Club. He enjoyed skiing, camping, boating, and spending time in Florida.
Frankie leaves his loving wife of 42 years, Brenda J. (Pike) Thomas; his children: Lee A. Martenelli and her husband David, of Leicester, Lynn A. Wood, of Leicester, and Russell Eastman and his wife Shalini, of Charlton; his grandchildren: Stephanie, Kim, Christina, Kyle, Leah, Jason, Jessica, and Charlie; his many great-grandchildren; his siblings: Carlton Thomas and his wife Shirley, of Oxford, Edith Garneau, of Auburn, and Helen Soponski and her husband Donald, of Auburn; his brother-in-law, Martin LaPrad, of Warren; as well as many nieces and nephews. Along with his parents, Frank was predeceased by his daughter, Lorrie J. Bachand, in 2017; his siblings: Everett, Robert, Alice, Olive, Gilbert; and, most recently, Janet LaPrad, who passed in August of 2020.
His family would like to say a special ‘thank you’ to his hospice nurse, Tarah, and home health aide, Sue. He will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved him.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Second Chance Animal Shelter, 111 Young Road, P.O. Box 136, East Brookfield, MA 01545 (secondchanceanimals.org/donate).
A graveside service will be held privately for Frank’s immediate family, at Hillside Cemetery, Auburn. The BRITTON-WALLACE FUNERAL HOME, 91 Central Street, Auburn, is honored to be assisting with arrangements.
Born in Worcester, raised and educated in Auburn, Frankie was one of ten children born to the late Frank E. and Irma L. (Batchelor) Thomas. He attended Auburn High School, prior to beginning a career in trucking. Frank first worked for Hood Co. out of Worcester, for almost two decades, then went on to work for Quaboag Transfer Co. in Palmer. He retired in 2002 from FLEXcon Co. in Spencer, where he dedicated 15 years as a sheeter operator.
Being the youngest of a large family, Frank was an awesome storyteller, mostly “jokes.” He loved spending time with friends, family, and his dog Bella, who was his faithful companion throughout his illness, and working on his yard and garden. Frank took great pleasure in showing and helping the kids to fish and hunt – he was an avid hunter and fisherman, who loved fishing the Cape Cod Canal for stripers and hunting in Vermont. Frank was also a longtime member of the Brookfield Rod & Gun Club. He enjoyed skiing, camping, boating, and spending time in Florida.
Frankie leaves his loving wife of 42 years, Brenda J. (Pike) Thomas; his children: Lee A. Martenelli and her husband David, of Leicester, Lynn A. Wood, of Leicester, and Russell Eastman and his wife Shalini, of Charlton; his grandchildren: Stephanie, Kim, Christina, Kyle, Leah, Jason, Jessica, and Charlie; his many great-grandchildren; his siblings: Carlton Thomas and his wife Shirley, of Oxford, Edith Garneau, of Auburn, and Helen Soponski and her husband Donald, of Auburn; his brother-in-law, Martin LaPrad, of Warren; as well as many nieces and nephews. Along with his parents, Frank was predeceased by his daughter, Lorrie J. Bachand, in 2017; his siblings: Everett, Robert, Alice, Olive, Gilbert; and, most recently, Janet LaPrad, who passed in August of 2020.
His family would like to say a special ‘thank you’ to his hospice nurse, Tarah, and home health aide, Sue. He will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved him.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Second Chance Animal Shelter, 111 Young Road, P.O. Box 136, East Brookfield, MA 01545 (secondchanceanimals.org/donate).
A graveside service will be held privately for Frank’s immediate family, at Hillside Cemetery, Auburn. The BRITTON-WALLACE FUNERAL HOME, 91 Central Street, Auburn, is honored to be assisting with arrangements.