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Welcome to the memorial page for
Gerald Arthur Thomas
October 15, 1950 ~ January 15, 2017 (age 66) 66 Years Old Light a Candle
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Message from Lynne McAlpine
January 24, 2017 12:33 PM
Gerry was a much-loved friend and will be greatly missed. I met him when I first came to Canada from England, so I have known him for 35 years. Early on, I appreciated his extensive knowledge of history and current affairs, and soon learned to love his passion for his chosen field of study and for his home town of Mispec, his integrity, and his loyalty. True to his Celtic origins, Gerry had a fiery temper, but he never spoke ill of anyone, never complained about any adversities he experienced, and never forgot his family or his friends. I will remember this about him, as I will remember his love for cairn terriers and baked beans with molasses; I will remember his pride as he showed us over his Mispec paradise and helped us pick blueberries, and I will remember our mutual interest in books. I will remember him at our house at festival times, and I will remember him at our annual autumn gatherings with two other friends for dinner at various restaurants in the region. As he asked, we will continue these gatherings, and although he will not be there, we will never forget him.
My deepest condolences to his family at this time of such great loss.
My deepest condolences to his family at this time of such great loss.
A candle was lit by Darrin Wilcox & Family
on January 20, 2017 8:26 AM
Message from Donald (and Lynne) McAlpine
January 18, 2017 3:54 PM
On Sunday, shortly after Gerry’s death, my wife, Lynne noted that it was four “Bs” that sprang to mind when thinking of Gerry- Blueberries, Beans, Books and Battles. Blueberries, because as a young women, newly married and a new immigrant to Canada, my wife’s first experience of blueberries was picking them during a tour of Gerry’s Mispec property, overlooking the Bay of Fundy, a place where the Thomas roots run deep; beans, were memories of our late summer visits to Gerry’s Thomas Point home, the old fields rank with goldenrod and fall asters, to share in beans and molasses bread, perhaps the high-point of bachelor Gerry’s cooking skills; books, well, together with Gerry, my wife and I shared a love of books and reading; And battles – no, not with Gerry, although he certainly could have a short fuse. Gerry loved history. And he seemed to have a memory for the details and dates of any number of significant battles in Canada’s past.
Gerry would eventually complete his Masters in History at UNB with a special certificate in Material History. That degree was hard-won, in that while in graduate school Gerry’s home burned to the ground. He lost all his notes and his draft thesis and would have to start over. Testament to the Thomas tenacity, he did just that. Ultimately, Gerry would draw on his completed thesis to write a contribution for the Canadian Encyclopedia ( http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/en/article/john-clarence-webster/) , dealing with the historian, John Clarence Webster, with portions of his thesis also being published by the Canadian Museum of Civilization. Gregg notes that Webster was something of a visionary in terms of the relationship between understanding our past and learning to live a well-informed life in the present, and that research on Webster served to cement these core values in Gerry's consciousness. Although early in his career Gerry travelled widely across Canada with the National Museums of Canada’s Museumobile Program, the Thomas family property at Mispec was always his home. Gerry Thomas, a true “Son of Mispec” and a good friend. We’ll all greatly miss our regular get-togethers with Gerry.
Gerry would eventually complete his Masters in History at UNB with a special certificate in Material History. That degree was hard-won, in that while in graduate school Gerry’s home burned to the ground. He lost all his notes and his draft thesis and would have to start over. Testament to the Thomas tenacity, he did just that. Ultimately, Gerry would draw on his completed thesis to write a contribution for the Canadian Encyclopedia ( http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/en/article/john-clarence-webster/) , dealing with the historian, John Clarence Webster, with portions of his thesis also being published by the Canadian Museum of Civilization. Gregg notes that Webster was something of a visionary in terms of the relationship between understanding our past and learning to live a well-informed life in the present, and that research on Webster served to cement these core values in Gerry's consciousness. Although early in his career Gerry travelled widely across Canada with the National Museums of Canada’s Museumobile Program, the Thomas family property at Mispec was always his home. Gerry Thomas, a true “Son of Mispec” and a good friend. We’ll all greatly miss our regular get-togethers with Gerry.
A candle was lit by Donald and Lynne McAlpine
on January 18, 2017 3:51 PM
A candle was lit by Heather & Paul Berkelmans (niece) London Ontario
on January 18, 2017 1:47 PM
Message from Mark Thomas
January 18, 2017 12:47 PM
One time when I was visiting Jerry at Mispec he told me a story about a Thomas ancestor who had once lived there. After he passed, Jerry said that he had been buried on the “Point”. The exact location was now unknown but perhaps it was near where Jerry’s home currently was. If so, Jerry said, it didn’t seem to be a problem because he was never disturbed by the ancestor’s spirit. I told him that was because the spirit recognized him as rightfully belonging there. Jerry had a strong sense of where he belonged and where he had come from. Perhaps this is what made him such an avid historian. Jerry reminds me of a quote by the late American author, Michael Crichton: “If you don’t know history, then you don’t know anything. You are a leaf that doesn’t know it is part of a tree”. With his passing, Jerry now moves from being a leaf to being part of the roots of the family tree that grows in Mispec. I shall miss my conversations with him.
Message from Harold E. Wright
January 18, 2017 8:57 AM
I am saddened to read this. Although it's been about 5 years since I last visited Jerry, our friendship from the late 1970s at the NB Museum and the many years afterward will never be forgotten. His love for history was infectious, especially that of the Mispec area. We had many chats about his service with Canada Customs. RIP Jerry. Thanks for your friendship.
Message from Margo Flewelling
January 18, 2017 8:37 AM
My condolences to the family. It was a pleasure to work with Gerry at the New Brunswick Museum; he was passionate about history, New Brunswick, his dogs, and Mispec!
A candle was lit by Mike and Tricia Thomas
on January 17, 2017 7:08 PM
Message from Malcolm & Norma Gilchrist
January 17, 2017 6:57 PM
Dear Bob and Delores, just read of your brother's passing and we wish to extend our deepest sympathy at this time. Thinking of you.
Message from Margo Flewelling
January 17, 2017 2:26 PM
My condolences to the family. It was a pleasure to work with Gerry at the New Brunswick Museum - a man passionate about history, New Brunswick, his dogs, and Mispec.
Message from Saint John
January 17, 2017 1:19 PM
Gerry, Bob Elliot and I often shared drives from Saint John to Fredericton during the eighties while taking courses towards our M.A. degree in history and the discussions might be compared to our own travelling history class. As anyone knows the Saint John Fredericton 'highway' is a challenge itself aside from braving the winter weather but the companionship on those drives lessened the discomfort substantially. Gerry's illuminations on his chosen thesis topic, John Clarence Webster, will be remembered.
Message from Jill thomas
January 17, 2017 2:21 AM
Thank you for being you uncle Jerry. Rest well xoxo💕💕💕. Love to all the Thomas family💞
Message from Saint John City Police Retired Members Association
January 16, 2017 11:42 PM
Bob;
Please accept the sincere condolences of your sisters and brothers of the Saint John City Police Retired Members Association, on the passing of your brother.
He will be remembered in our thoughts and prayers.
J. Kevin McDonald Sgt. (Rtd)
SJCPRMA
Please accept the sincere condolences of your sisters and brothers of the Saint John City Police Retired Members Association, on the passing of your brother.
He will be remembered in our thoughts and prayers.
J. Kevin McDonald Sgt. (Rtd)
SJCPRMA
Message from Cheryl Carter
January 16, 2017 11:09 PM
Uncle Gerry was such a fixture in first my childhood visits and then the fewer adult ones home I have been able to make. I was always interested in his family history stories and I don't know if I would've been able to retain my Canadian citizenship if he had not always kept me up to date with changing laws. I will miss him very much, and Mispec will not be the same without him, but I do believe he will always be felt there. Much love to everyone...((HUGS))
A candle was lit by Cheryl Carter and family
on January 16, 2017 11:01 PM
A candle was lit by Terry and Jim Henry and Family
on January 16, 2017 10:46 PM
A candle was lit by Marnie and Darryll
on January 16, 2017 10:38 PM
A candle was lit by HEATHER EMOND AND KIRK TONER
on January 16, 2017 10:31 PM
A candle was lit by Mike & Michelle Thomas and family
on January 16, 2017 5:17 PM
Message from Rob Burke
January 16, 2017 1:55 PM
My condolences to you and your family.
A candle was lit by Darrel Wilson, Jill Ahearn, Martha Ruddick and Gillen Reed
on January 16, 2017 1:30 PM
Message from Gregg Finley
January 16, 2017 12:13 PM
I first met Gerry at the University of New Brunswick. It was the early 1970s, and we shared some classes together. I noticed that he read widely. It was clear that Gerry loved History. His academic studies earned him a Bachelor of Arts degree in History (Honours) in 1974; and in 1990, a Master of Arts degree in History; as well as a Graduate Certificate in Material History, all from UNB. His Masters Thesis was titled: “John Clarence Webster: the evolution and motivation of an historian, 1922-1950.” Portions of this thesis were later published by the Canadian Museum of Civilization (1994) and in The Canadian Encyclopedia (2007). Before joining Canadian Border Services as a Customs Officer, Gerry held positions with the New Brunswick Museum, the New Brunswick Historical Resources Administration, and the National Museums of Canada’s Museumobile Program. He travelled widely across Canada, and beyond, but the Thomas family property at Mispec, overlooking the Bay of Fundy, was definitely his HOME. Gerry will be missed.
Message from Terry Henry (Niece of Jerry Thomas)
January 16, 2017 10:45 PM
Thank you so much for outlining Jerry's background education and jobs. Jerry will certainly be missed by all his family.
A candle was lit by Lynda and Gregg Finley
on January 16, 2017 12:07 PM
A candle was lit by Don & Beth Roy
on January 15, 2017 9:53 PM
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