Vernon T. Thomas

HADLEY, Vernon T. (Ted) Thomas, 84, passed away at the Elaine Center in Hadley on May 5, 2013, following a period of declining health.

He was born in Hadley on January 11, 1929, the youngest of six children, to the late August and Mathilda (Plutsky) Thomas. He was predeceased by three brothers and two sisters.

Ted was a 1946 graduate of HopkinsAcademy in Hadley, participating in all varsity sports, and then attended the University of Massachusetts, graduating in 1951 after a four year stint on the varsity soccer team. He served with the United States Army in the Korean War from 1952-53 with “L” Company of the 35^th Infantry Regiment of the 25^th Infantry Division – attaining the rank of sergeant as a weapons platoon squad leader. He was a member of the VFW Post 754 of Amherst, the 35^th Infantry Regiment (CACTI) Association and the 25^th Infantry Division Association.

His post-military career was in the insurance industry. He enjoyed a thirty one-year tenure with the Peerless Insurance Company of Keene, NH, serving in management, marketing and auditing positions until his retirement in 1993.

Ted’s retirement years were spent griping about the Boston Red Sox and attending his grandchildren’s sporting activities in Hadley, Granby and Roswell, Georgia. He was a fixture at UMass football games, a fan of the Cleveland Browns and assumed the role of semi-resident handy man at the HadleyGardenCenter. He enjoyed traveling to Maine, Pennsylvania, Georgia and attending Korean War Veteran reunions. He participated in the 1995 dedication of the Korean War Memorial in Washington, D.C., by marching in the parade with the 25^th Infantry Division.

He was predeceased by his wife of 49+ years, Gilda M. Grandonico, in 2004. He is survived by his two daughters, Janine T. Giles (Tom) of Hadley, Cheryl T. Boisselle (Kevin) of Granby and his son David B. Thomas (Beverly) of Roswell, Georgia. He is also survived by 6 grandchildren; granddaughters Brittany J. Giles of Sunderland, Lindsey C. Thomas and Morgan S. Thomas of Roswell, Georgia ,  Kelsea L. Boisselle and Jenna M. Boisselle of Granby and his favorite grandson, Thomas L. Giles of Spokane, Washington, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Honoring Ted’s wishes there are no calling hours.  A private burial of his ashes will be held at the convenience of his immediate family at a later date.  Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.