PETER THOMAS

Peter John Thomas Feb. 23, 1926 - Oct. 10, 2016 Peter Thomas, formerly of Newark, N.J., and resident of Hearthstone Assisted Living in Reading, Pa., went to be with his Lord and Savior on Oct. 10, 2016, peacefully in his sleep, at St. Joseph's Hospital in Reading. A celebration of Peter's life will take place on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, at 4:30 p.m. at Glad Tidings Assembly of God Church, 1110 Snyder Rd., West Lawn, Pa., with Pastor Eric Goldsborough officiating. Friends may call at the church from 2 to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday. Peter will receive a military burial on Monday, Oct. 24, 2016, from Ft. Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. Meet at the cemetery at 11 a.m. Feel free to express online condolences at stantonfuneral.com. Stanton Funeral Home and Cremation Service Inc., Honey Brook, Pa., has been entrusted with the service. Peter was the loving and devoted husband of the late Frederica Thomas. Born in Biddeford, Maine, and raised in Newark, N.J., Peter was the devoted son of the late John and Pota Thomas. He served in the Navy during World War II. Upon return, he received a degree from Bloomfield College and then served as a Newark police officer until his retirement in 1983. Peter will be remembered for his many decades of support for Essex Catholic and St. Benedict's Preparatory School wrestling, and his favorite saying when he thought opponents were stalling, "He's sucking wind." Peter leaves behind his loving son, John K. Thomas, husband of Angela, of Pine Brook N.J.; daughter, Ericka Thomas-Ernst, wife of Kevin Ernst of Fleetwood, Pa.; and his loving sister, Mary Marolakos of Newark; seven grandchildren, Michelle Thomas, Austin Ernst, Zachary Ernst, Alexis Thomas, Marcus Ernst, Peter Thomas, and Gianna Ernst, and one great-grandchild, Capri Fitzgerald. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in memory of Peter Thomas to the charity of your choice.