MECHANICVILLE - William G. Thomas, 88, died Friday, November 4th at Starr Farm Nursing Center, Burlington, VT after a brief illness. Born in Saratoga Springs, June 16, 1928, he was the son of the late George and Betty Brenn Thomas, Jr. Bill spent his childhood on the Thomas Farm on Vanness Road and was a 1946 graduate of Mechanicville High School. He was a co-owner of the Central Dairy for many years and also was a well known milkman in the Mechanicville area for some time. In later years Bill was a salesman for Carl C. Beck and finally a driver for the SSTA organization in Burlington, VT. Bill was a Mason and a member (Past Exalted Ruler) of the Mechanicville Elks. He also belonged to the American Legion in Burlington, VT. Bill’s greatest accomplishment was as a championship bobsledder. He and his riding partner John Mignacci, competed in many events, winning the 1965 Adirondack A.A.U Two-Man Championship and the North American Two-Man Championship, both in Lake Placid. In 1966, Bill and John traveled to Cortina, Italy to compete in the FIBT World Championships, however during a preliminary run; their chances were derailed by an axel breaking on their sled.
Bill is survived by his sister Dorothy Rehm of Troy, NY his children: Bruce G.(Patty) Thomas of Steele, AL, Brent W.(Joy) and Barry R.(Pat) Thomas, both of Mechanicville, Brian D.(Cindy) Thomas of Salem, CT, Blain D.(Becky) Thomas of Polk City, FL, Bethe A.(Jim Cady) Thompson of Gansevoort and Betsy J.(Mark) Rouse of Harmony, NC; grandchildren; Jason Thomas, Kerri Dates and Jodi Thomas, Heather, Dylan and Cole Thomas, Ralph and Shawn Thompson, great grandchildren; Alexander and Tyler, Alexander, Jaxson and Noah, Lena and ShawnPat as well as his nieces and nephews.
Services will be private and at the convenience of Bill’s family. There will be no calling hours. Those wishing to remember Bill in a special way are asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the American Heart Association in memory of William G. Thomas.
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