Kenneth C. Thomas, 90, Gouverneur. Kenneth C. Thomas, 90, passed away Saturday, October 31, 2009 at his home under the care of family and Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley. There will be no calling hours or funeral services. A graveside service with Green Funeral Home, Gouverneur will be Wednesday, November 11th at 3:00 p.m. in Riverside Cemetery, Gouverneur with Rev. Dr. Richard Mayforth, pastor of the Gouverneur First Presbyterian Church officiating.

Kenneth was born in Gouverneur on April 7, 1919, the son of the late Orville and Harriet “Lottie” Rice Thomas. Mr. Thomas served in the U.S. Army from 1940-1945, serving overseas during WW II and receiving several awards including a Bronze Star medal. Ken married Lois R. LaBarge Hanlon on November 11, 1970 in Philadelphia. Lois passed away December 30, 2005. A previous marriage to Ann Side ended in divorce.

Ken worked several years for ConRail, laying and maintaining rails for the railroad company. He loved woodworking and had his own woodworking shop until April 2009 when he retired due to ill health. Ken also enjoyed playing various instruments, especially his mandolin, and working on antique clocks. While living most of his life in Gouverneur, he also had lived in Alexandria Bay, Philadelphia, and had a hobby farm in Richville.

Ken is survived by two daughters, Sylvia Miles and her companion Brian Booth of Theresa, and Margaret Wetherwax and her companion Lawrence “Windy” Slate of Philadelphia; two stepdaughters, Athena Hanlon and her companion Theodore Thomas of San Francisco, CA, and Edith and Edward Augur of Gouverneur with whom Ken lived with; and five grandchildren, two step grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, five step great grandchildren, and two great, great grandchildren.

He was predeceased by an infant daughter, Donna Marie Thomas.

Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley, 6805 US Highway 11, Potsdam, NY 13676.


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