Roy Francis Thomas

EAST FALMOUTH — Roy Francis Thomas, of East Falmouth, formerly of Brockton and Newton Center, age 78, died peacefully with his family surrounding him on Dec. 13, 2009, at Falmouth Hospital.

He was the son of the late Roy C. Thomas and late Mildred Cochrane Thomas of Brockton.

A graduate of Brockton High School, he received a scholarship to Cornell University School of Hotel Administration.

He served in the Navy during the Korean War on the USS Hyman (DD 732) from 1951 to 1953. While attached to the Hyman, he crossed the equator, made a world cruise, and saw action off the coast of Korea. He finished his service aboard the USS Yellowstone from 1953 to 1955. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1955. He was a lifetime member of the DAV.

An accomplished chef and baker, he was formerly employed as the director of food service at Stonehill College, North Easton, and later for 16 years as the director of housing and food service at Mount Ida Junior College in Newton. He also worked at Madonna Hall in Marlborough, and Steven's Home in Swansea.

He was an active member of Alcoholic Anonymous for 28 years, and a 25-year member of the Matt Talbot Group 5 Retreat House at Stonehill College.

During his time in AA, he made many great friends and enjoyed helping others achieve sobriety. In AA, he always made people feel welcome. He dedicated his life to helping others, and if someone needed something, everyone knew Roy was the person to turn to.

He is survived by his wife, Treasa Durso Thomas; and four children, Sean Thomas and his wife Janet of Attleboro, Kathleen Thomas and her husband John Fitzgerald of Hampton, N.H., Colleen A. Tynan of Wareham, and Eileen Thomas of Mashpee; seven grandchildren, Joseph, Jessica, Samantha, Amber, Chelsea, Jackee and Andrew; and two great-grandchildren, Paige and Ryleigh.

A lifelong Boston Red Sox fan, he followed all the New England sports teams.

Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2009, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., in the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 74 Algonquin Ave., at Route 151, Mashpee.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, Dec. 17, at 10 a.m., in the funeral home, with a visitation prior at 9 a.m. A brief interment service will be held at 11:15 a.m. in the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association, Heart Gifts Processing Center, P.O. Box 3049, Syracuse, NY 13220-3049.

For online guest book and directions, please visit www.ccgfuneralhome.com.