Dr Paul David Thomas

1926 - 2024

Groton - Paul David Thomas, 97, of Groton, passed away March 7, 2024. He was born March 8, 1926, in Bellwood, Pa. Dr. Thomas was a retired research chemist and chemical patent attorney for Pfizer Pharmaceutical. He proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1946.

After graduating from South Side High School in Newark, N.J. in 1944, Paul volunteered for the U.S. Army ASTP training program. Shortly thereafter, he was sent to train in California, and soon shipped to the Phillippines. The war ended just before he was to be sent into combat. Paul came back home and became the first member of his family to seek a college education. He received his undergraduate degree from Newark University and his master's from Columbia. He then convinced Mary Pasqua of Cranford, N.J., of marrying him and joining him in his pursuit of a doctorate of chemistry at the University of Illinois which he received in 1954. His wife Mary would be at his side for the next 73 years.

Paul accepted a job at Pfizer Pharmaceutical in 1954. He and Mary had never been to Connecticut before, but Groton soon became their home for the next 70 years. There they had three sons, David, Richard and James and a daughter, Holly. He worked as a research chemist and then a chemical patent attorney for Pfizer until he retired in 1987. During that time, he gladly served for many years as the YMCA boys swim team coach.

Paul was a quiet and happy individual who found joy in gardening, traveling and golf. From his garden, he loved to produce strawberry rhubarb jam, which was a family favorite, and dandelion wine. Paul will be fondly remembered for his warm smile and joy for life. In addition to his wife and children, Paul is survived by twelve grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

A private service to honor Dr. Thomas's life will be held Saturday, March 16, at the Mystic Funeral Home in Mystic.