Obituary of John Bruce Thomas

J. Bruce Thomas, age 74 passed away on December 8, 2016 with his loving family by his side. Bruce, as he was known, was born in 1942 in Utica. He was the son of the late J. Watson and Margaret Gubbins Thomas. He was predeceased by his brother Graham. Bruce was educated in the Scarsdale school system and attended Villanova University’s School of Law. He married the love of his life on July 20, 1968, Carol Ann Covais and was married for 48 years. Together they raised four children; Jennifer Wassil, David (Daniela), Lauren (Robert Alcock) and her twin sister Stephanie (Eric Alsop). He was the proud Papa to Kyle and Brynn Wassil, Christian and Emma Thomas, James and Rees Alsop, and Ethan Alcock. Ms. Elena (Robert) Krupinski was a very special family member, as were children Anna and Jacqueline. He is also survived by his brother, Watson (Patricia) Thomas, sister Carol (John) Martin Bruce worked for the Bell System, starting with NY Telephone, then moving to AT&T, and its subsidiary Lucent Technologies, and retired from Avaya in 2004. He lived for many years in Pleasantville where he was active in his church, Boy Scouts, PIA, Friends of the Library, and had been special gifts chairman of the United Way in Pleasantville, and AYSO soccer coach. After his retirement he moved to Saratoga County where he enjoyed the many pleasures of upstate New York. Services will be held in Pleasantville, NY, with Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Innocents Church. Interment will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Valhalla.