Peter E. Thomas, 84, of Richmond, Vt., peacefully entered into life with God on Saturday, October 26, 2024, with family at his side.
The youngest of Eustace and Lena (Hicks) Thomas’ 10 children, Peter grew up on the family farm in Shelburne, Vt. He married his wife of 41 years, Elaine (Griffith), on May 4, 1963, in Saint Patrick’s Chapel at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Burlington, Vt., settling in Richmond and welcoming children Pamela, Mary Ann, Kimberly and Kevin. Peter married Juliet Veve on June 30, 2007, at Saint Anne’s Shrine in Isle La Motte, Vt., with her sons, William Veve and Victor Veve, joining Peter’s family.
After serving in the U.S. Navy, Peter worked at IBM and oversaw facilities at Browns River Middle School. He also operated a flooring business, Quality Carpets, for many years. In retirement, he, Juliet and their dog Tipper brought joy to children with their visits to local schools. His years included many other moments of joy, including trips to Maine, camping and gardening. Most prominent of all was his care and concern for his family, a legacy continuing in those he loved.
In passing, Peter joins his parents, Eustace and Lena; siblings Herrick, Leonard, Anthony, Mary Eileen, Theresa and Isabelle; first wife, Elaine, and their daughter Mary Ann; and daughter-in-law Maryclare Plunkett.
Those remembering Peter include his wife, Juliet; siblings Julia Mae Cameron, Hazel Yencha and Zita Lackenbauer; children Pamela Doran (Richard), Kimberly Thomas and Kevin Thomas (Rebecca, with their children, Addison and Colin); stepchildren, William Veve (Rita, with their son, Felix) and Victor Veve (Sarah Stein, with their daughters, Althea and Theadora); and extended members of the Thomas, Griffith and Veve families.
Peter’s family thank those who cared for and ministered to him in his last hours, including Richmond Rescue, the emergency and ICU staff at the University of Vermont Medical Center, and Bishop John McDermott.
A mass of Christian burial was celebrated on Monday, November 4, 2024, 11 a.m., at his longtime parish of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary in Richmond, burial followed at Holy Rosary Cemetery. Gifts in Peter’s honor may be made to the Knights of Columbus, Rosary Council, PO Box 71, Richmond, VT 05477.
This article appears in The Tech Issue 2024.