Leonard A. Thomas

Leonard Albert Thomas, also known to family as “Lenny” was born on April 3, 1928 to Mabel Lewis and Henry “Monk” Thomas at New York Hospital in New York City, NY. Lenny’s mother, Mabel passed away when Lenny was about ten months of age. He was raised by his maternal grandparents; Lucy and Henry Lewis along with his cousins, Robert “Bobby” Williams and Doris Williams Smalls.

One of five children born to Henry Thomas, he had two sisters and two brothers; Letha Thomas-Williams, Walter “Buddy” Thomas, Margaret “Peggy” Thomas-Brown and Bruce Thomas.

Lenny grew up in Harlem, New York and attended Commerce High School. He spent three years in the United States Army serving a tour post World War II in Germany.

Lenny met his wife, Iduma “Lee” Moon in New York City in the mid 1950’s and they were blessed with four children. They remained together until her passing on March 31, 1989.

While Lenny and Lee raised their children, he was employed as a superintendent of residential apartment buildings, obtaining licenses in boiler and maintenance operation. Lenny continued his education attending school during the day and working the night shift until he became a Linotype Operator where he worked in this trade printing for both the New York Magazine and The Village Voice until he retired in 1982.

Lenny, with the support of his wife, Lee also looked after and checked on several elder members of the family, his father, Henry Thomas, aunt, Inez Hailstalk and cousins Ada Hewlett and Kitty Franklin.

Lenny had a quick wit and a sense of humor. He was a “Jack Of All Trades”, a licensed boiler repair and maintenance engineer and a self-taught handy man adept at all facets of home repair. He was always busy fixing or changing something in the house and not always in a timely manner. He enjoyed cooking and often experimented with new recipes orchestrating or supervising meal preparation.

Lenny and his wife, Lee enjoyed card-playing fun while hosting family gatherings and holiday dinners.

Lenny was one of a kind. He leaves to mourn and cherish his memories: four children:

Son: Aaron Robert Thomas, his son, Aaron Thomas, Jr and grandson Aaron Thomas III

Daughter: Gladys Thomas-Toscano and her son, Leonard Thomas, his wife. Karen Simon Thomas and their two daughters, Laila and Khloe Thomas;

Daughter: Deborah L Thomas and her son, Eric Lee Hugh and his wife, Jessica and their son, Erickson; Jonathan Lee Hugh and his wife, Eman and their two daughters; Bria Jon and Eva Eman and Deborah’s daughters, Yazmine, Nieasia, Brianna, Tyaja and Ayanie.

Daughter: Linda Thomas and her daughter, Linda Lee Dockery, her husband Andrew and their five children, AJ, Janae, Jada, Avery and Aiden and Linda’s son, Kyle Henry Thomas and his two sons Zaire and Komari Exavier Thomas.

Lenny is also survived by his sister, Margaret Brown and his brother, Walter “Buddy” Thomas and leaves a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, loved ones and friends who will miss him dearly.