Leo Frederick Thomas

Leo Frederick Thomas, 91, of Pompton Plains, formerly of Basking Ridge and Berkeley Heights, passed away on November 2, 2025.

Born in 1934 in Newark, NJ to German immigrants, Leo J. and Martha Thomas, Leo grew up in Irvington, NJ. After graduating from the NJ Institute of Technology in 1956 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering, Leo joined the U.S. Army, serving at Frankfort Arsenal in Philadelphia PA, focusing on R&D of advanced weapon systems. Leo's subsequent long career with the Port Authority of NY & NJ included managing terminals at Kennedy and Newark Airports, and working in planning, operations and management for the department of Trains, Bridges and Tunnels. He obtained his MBA from Baruch College in 1964.

A talented violinist, Leo met his wife Elaine (Malwitz), a gifted pianist with the ability to play numerous instruments, in the Evangel Baptist Church orchestra, where he approached her for a date with, "May the first violinist take out the first tubaist?" Married in 1961, Leo and Elaine shared their love of music and the Lord, raising two daughters, Diane and Karen, in Union and Berkeley Heights, NJ. In addition to playing violin, Leo enjoyed all manner of classical music, gardening, walking (always at a fast clip), reading about history and the mind, and traveling. Leo served as an elder at Pluckemin Presbyterian Church; Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Springfield, NJ; and Long Hill Chapel, Chatham, NJ. He will be fondly remembered for his quick wit, full-throated singing voice, love of a good German lieder, mischievous joy in playing devil's advocate, and unflagging love for his wife of 65 years.

Leo is lovingly survived by his devoted wife, Elaine; his daughters, Diane Thomas O'Hara and her husband Kenneth O'Hara, and Karen Thomas and her husband Burton Yount; and his grandchildren, Catherine and John "Jack" O'Hara, and Felix and Hana Thomas-Yount. He was predeceased by his sister, Elizabeth Kuehne.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 15 at 11:00am, at the Cedar Crest Interfaith Chapel, Cedar Crest Village Road, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444, with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Leo's memory to the Cedar Crest Resident Care Fund (1 Cedar Crest Dr, Attn: Philanthropy Office, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444) would be greatly appreciated by his family.