Joseph Thomas

1934 - 2021

Having fulfilled a life of hard work, entrepreneurship, ambition and love for family and nature, Mr. Joseph Thomas, 87, of Weatherly, passed away Sunday, following his dedicated perseverance through age and illnesses.

On June 6, 1934, Joe was born in his family home in a small town outside of Hazleton. His parents were Jose and Josephine Thomas, United States immigrants from Spain and Italy. His life was dedicated to hard work. He proudly served his country in the Army National Guard in 1952 and was later honorably discharged.

In 1960, Joe began his life's passion of craftsmanship, customer service and hard work with the inception of Thomas Kitchens at age 26 in his family garage. His hard work and dedication to good customer service expanded the business over many years into a reputable regional kitchen installation company with 30 employees, two shops and a fleet of transport and company vehicles. Joe treated his employees as family and saw their families as an extension of his own. One of the most valued accomplishments was to own a business enabling employees to adequately provide for their families. Later, he proudly owned M&T Realty and enjoyed managing the business.

Joe was a devoted father to his 10 children. He was stern at times, knowing very well his kids needed to figure things out on their own, but he was always there to help when their best efforts may not have been enough. Joe was proud of his 10 children and their significant others, Joseph, Tamaqua; Joan, Bucks County; Lisa, California; Diane, Allentown; Teresa, Easton; Albert, Allentown; Debbie, Warminster; Brian, Sugarloaf Twp.; Curt, Weatherly; and Heather, Weatherly.

Joe sustained friendships and cherished his time spent hunting, joking and socializing with people he knew since childhood. He was a man who would drop everything to help a friend and did so on countless occasions. Later in life, Joe spent many hours teaching his grandchildren the ways of the wilderness, and perhaps this was one of his greatest joys. He enjoyed his land tremendously, working and hunting on it, and taught his grandchildren to see nature as God's greatest gift. Joe deeply adored his 20 grandchildren, Diana Gomez and Jessica Thomas; Nadia and Thomas El-Erian; Chloe, Jackson and Katherine Winn; James, Joseph, Sarah, Luke and Frank Reilly; Tyler and Casey Diehl; Julia Thomas; Jake and Lauren Thomas; Mackenzie and Noah Graham; and Nathan Thomas.

Joe was known as a solid, reliable, no frills kind of man who was grounded in faith, motivated by family and always had enough good will left over to help his friends. Joe's example, insight and what he taught about life will not be forgotten, only treasured by all who loved and knew him. Although he will be missed, Joe will live on in the hearts and minds of the many people he touched in different ways.

Joe was married to Helen Sheeto, who passed away in October 2015. They were happily married for 34 years. Joe will join his sisters, Marie Beltley and Terry Judge, in eternal life.

Joe is survived by his sisters, Carol Kiefer, Delaware; and Dolores Krynock, Florida. He is also survived by his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends, customers and employees, all who he loved.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of the Lourdes Church, 318 Plane St., Weatherly.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home and from 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday in Our Lady of the Lourdes Church, Weatherly.

Burial will follow in Mount Carmel Cemetery, Hazleton.

Funeral arrangements are in the care of McNulty Funeral Home, 494 E. Butler Drive, Freeland.