Walter D. Thomas
1934 – 2009
LEWISTON — Walter D. Thomas, 75, of Lewiston, died Wednesday, Dec. 30, at Central Maine Medical Center.
He was born in Brockton, Mass., Aug. 14, 1934, the son of Cyril and Doris Braley Thomas. Raised and educated in Abington, Mass., he graduated from Abington High School, Class of 1952, attended University of Massachusetts Amherst, and, later in life, earned a degree in mathematics from Bridgewater State College.
In 1955, he joined the U.S. Navy, and trained as a blimp pilot stationed at Lakehurst, NJ. He switched to flying Lockheed P2V Neptunes for many years, retiring in 1977 as a lieutenant commander. A Shriner and a Mason, he was a member of the Aleppo Temple, was the lodge master at the John Cutler Lodge, and was a long-time member of the Abington Lion’s Club. His wife, Evelyn Murphy Trottier Thomas, predeceased him.
Survivors include his first wife, Eva Dimond Harris of Florida; one son, Barry Thomas and wife, Brenda, of Topsfield; two daughters, Deborah Thomas of Rutland Town, Vt., and Patricia Thomas of Pittsford, Vt.; and five grandchildren, William, Brian, Alison, Jacob and Caroline Thomas.