John Joseph Thomas Sr.

1920 - 2010

John Joseph Thomas, Sr., 90 years, passed away on Oct. 8, 2010 at home with his family.

John was born July 17, 1920 in Saverton, Mo., to Eli and Mary Thomas, Romanian immigrants who settled in the hills of Missouri where John grew up with his four sisters and two brothers during the Great Depression years. He attended Quincy College Academy in Quincy, Ill., 1935-39 where he was on the varsity football team for three seasons and was elected Captain in his senior year.

When WWII began in 1941, John served for 57 months in the Army and Army Air Force. While in the military John met his beloved wife Lucy at a USO dance; they were married on June 1, 1946 and lived in Massachusetts for 20 years until they moved to Ventura in 1966.

John graduated from Bentley School of Accounting and Finance in Boston, Mass. He worked for the Knapp Shoe, Green Shoe and Stride-Rite Shoe Mfg. Cos. until he opened his own shoe stores in 1956 in Norwood, Mass., and then Ventura. The J. Thomas Shoe Store operated at the Victoria Plaza until John retired in 1985.

After retirement John enjoyed fishing at Lake Casitas and the Northern California mountains where he and Lucy would relax. His favorite hobby was collecting antique fishing tackle and he was a member of the National Fishing Lure Collector Club for over 30 years.

His pride and joy was his family. He always felt that he was blessed for over 60 years of marriage to his loving wife Lucy, their ten children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He attended Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Ventura and was a Eucharistic Minister for over 30 years; he and Lucy were active in the Family-to-Family program.

John leaves behind his ten children: Donna, Teresa (Steve), Catherine, Rosemary (Jerry), John II (Phyllis), Margaret (Andrew), David (Sheila), Joanne, Paul (Kenna), Patricia (Glen); 14 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; and his cherished friend, Molly Maurette.

Viewing from 2 to 7 p.m. and Rosary at 7 p.m. held on Tuesday, Oct. 12 at Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home, Ventura. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 13 at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, Ventura. Interment to follow at Santa Clara Cemetery in Oxnard. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to St. Vincent DePaul Society or Catholic Charities.

The family expresses our deep appreciation to Father Steve Davoren, Belo Deligero and Vitas Hospice nurses. John has been entrusted to the care of family owned Joseph Reardon Funeral Home, 757 E. Main St., Ventura; 643-8623.