Harold M. Thomas

Harold Thomas, 94, of Brewster MA, passed away peacefully on January 25, 2023 due to natural causes. He was born on May 12th, 1928, the third child of five children, to Josephine Thomas (nee Wolfe) and Charles Thomas in Cliffside Park, New Jersey. He married his lifelong friend and soulmate, Kathleen Browne, in August 1954 and they enjoyed 68 years of married life. They worked and raised their family in New Jersey and happily retired to Cape Cod in 2004.

Harold attended Cardinal Hayes High School in Bronx, NY, graduated in January of 1945, and promptly enlisted in the US Navy where he served on the USS SOLEY DD-707. Following his stint in the Navy, he graduated with a Bachelor of Education from New York University and later earned his Master of Education from Montclair State University. He went on to a long and successful career teaching woodshop at Glen Rock High School and then Ridgewood High School. He was most at home in his woodshop imparting his vast knowledge of woodworking to generations of eager students. He had a huge impact on thousands of students over his decades of teaching and his work was recognized across the state of New Jersey as his students built beautiful projects that ranged from grandfather clocks to acoustic guitars and were featured at numerous shows.

Harold was a dedicated father to his six children who he treasured and consistently encouraged to strive for excellence. He was also an amazing grandfather who thoroughly enjoyed his 18 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. He loved to take the grandkids clamming, crabbing, and fishing on his favorite place on earth, Cape Cod. He was always teaching, always learning, and always loved to hear what his grandchildren were up to.

Harold also had many personal interests and was an avid fisherman, an exercise enthusiast, and a gifted craftsman right to the end. But above all, Harold was a teacher, who inspired family and friends with his energy and readily shared his encyclopedic knowledge of woodworking, fishing, and of Cape Cod.

Harold is predeceased by his wife Kathleen and his son Glenn. Left to cherish his memory are his loving children, Paul, Peter, Kathy, James, and Karen.

A Mass for the Celebration of Life will be held at Blessed Sacrament Church in Martinsville, NJ, on Saturday February 11, 2023 at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Association to Preserve Cape Cod, as Harold always felt strongly about preserving the natural beauty of the Cape for future generations.