CLIFFORD C. THOMAS
GREENE – Clifford “Horsey” Thomas, 88 a lifetime resident of Greene, NY, went home to the Lord on Thursday, September 10, 2015. He lived at the NYS Veterans’ Home in Oxford since October 2013. A special thank you to Cassie Wilbur, Melody Robertson and the NYS Veterans’ Home for their extraordinary care over the last few years.
Clifford is survived by three children, Dale (Jean) Thomas of Chittenango, NY, Richard (Debbie) Thomas of Greene, NY and Mary (Dennis Edwards) Thomas of Upper Lisle, NY; seven grandchildren, five great grandchildren and several nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by a sister, Margaret Simons, a brother, John Thomas and his wife of 65 years, Margaret (Elliot) Thomas.
He graduated from Greene Central School in 1945 where he was class president and received the Jones Memorial Award for his athletic performance. He served in the US Army Tank Corp. and the band. He worked for 32 years at the First National Bank in Greene, the last several years as President. He was a car salesman for J.W. Green, the Greene Town Assessor for 12 years, and a rural route driver for the Post Office.
Clifford’s life demonstrated “Love thy neighbor as yourself.” He was an active volunteer in the Greene community, who honored him in 2000 as Citizen of the Year”. He served the Greene Lions Club for over 40 years in a number of positions and they honored him several times as “Lion of the Year”, the Melvin Jones Award, and gave his name to a field at Lions Park. He was a member of the First Congregation Church in Greene generously giving his time, talent, and treasure. He attended and led a local chapter of AA for over 30 years. He was the caretaker and secretary of the Smithville Flats cemeteries. Many other governmental and volunteer organizations benefitted from his service.
Just for fun – Most of all he enjoyed baseball, playing first base 20 years for the Greene Town Team. In later years he recruited, coached and played in the annual Labor Day Old-timers game. He also enjoyed golfing, bowling, hunting, fishing, billiards, skiing, and card playing. He spent many hours reading newspapers, magazines and the Bible.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Greene Lions Club, 118 Meadow Dr., Greene, NY 13778 or Christian Caring Service, c/o Sharon Gagnon, 316 Hartman Hill Rd., Greene, NY 13778.
Relatives and friends may call on Friday, September 18 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at the Kennedy Funeral Home, 21 N. Chenango St., Greene, NY and Saturday, September 19 from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at the First Congregational Church, 28 N. Chenango St., Greene, NY. A service to remember and celebrate the life of Clifford “Horsey” Thomas will be held at the church at 11:00 AM following the calling hours.
Memories and condolences may be shared by visiting www.kennedyfuneralhome.net.