Alonzo R. Thomas

Cherry Plain – Alonzo R. “Red” Thomas, 85, of Route 22, Cherry Plain, NY, died Saturday, March 5, 2011, at the Albany Medical Center Hospital. He was the beloved husband of Helen E. Whitman Thomas.
Born in Petersburgh, NY, on March 4, 1926, he was the son of the late Alonzo R. and Lulu Phillips Thomas.  He attended Stephentown Center School and Berlin High School. He had been a resident of Cherry Plain for the past several years. He was a US Army veteran serving in WW II. He retired from the WJ Cowee Company in Berlin, NY, where he worked as a cutter. He previously had worked for Seagroatt’s Greenhouse in Berlin and the North Pownal Tannery in Vermont. Alonzo was also a member of the Taconic Valley American Legion Post #937 and the Berlin Volunteer Fire Department.
Survivors include his wife, Helen E. Whitman Thomas, his children, James W. and wife Shirley Thomas of North Adams, MA, Susan and husband Andrew Walters of Waterford, NY, and Michael Thomas of Berlin, his grandchildren, Becky Thomas, James J. Thomas, Beth Thomas, Meagan Hall, Michael Thomas, Valarie Thomas, ten great-grandchildren and a sister, Armena Bilotta of Pittsfield, MA. He is pre-deceased by sisters, Julia Kellar, Margaret Stevens, Lottie Bilotta, Ethel Moon and Gladys Thomas.
Funeral services were Thursday, March 10, at 11 am in the Cherry Plain Community Christian Church where Pastor Robert Michaels officiated. Spring interment will be in the Berlin Community Cemetery.
Relatives and friends were invited to the Hall & Higgins Funeral Home, 457 NY 43, Stephentown on Wednesday from 4 to 7 pm for visitation.