Joseph P. Thomas, 90, U.S. Army and Navy Veteran

He was preceded in death by 3 brothers Walter, Leonard and Gerald, sister Magdalene and great grandchildren Faith, Hope and Thomas.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years LaVera (nee Schmitt), brother and sister-in-law Carl and Marge, sister Mary Lou, sisters-in-law Irene, Lillian and Debbie, son Terry of Atlanta, Georgia, son-in-law Frank and daughter Celie Pawlikowski of Elyria, 3 grandsons Tom, Scott and William and 3 granddaughters-in-law Tina, Patty and Melanie and 7 great grandchildren.

He was born in Lorain, graduated from Lorain High School and worked on freighters on the Great Lakes. During World War II, Joe was deployed by the US Army to Cheyenne, Wyoming. He was one of the first troops to arrive in Edmonton, Canada to break through the wilderness to build the Alaskan Highway from Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada to Fairbanks, Alaska. He was at the dedication of the Alaska Highway on Nov. 20, 1942. He was honorably discharged from the Army/Air Force then joined the Naval Reserves in 1950 and served in Bermuda and Italy.He was honorably discharged on Feb. 15, 1952.

Joe was a carpenter with Carpenter’s Local #940 of Norwalk and worked on many residential and commercial projects throughout Northern Ohio. He was recently recognized by the union for 50 years of service. He was a member of American Legion #30 of Lorain and VFW #496.

He enjoyed traveling to visit family and friends. Joe and LaVera returned to Canada and Alaska for the 50th anniversary of the dedication of the Alaska Highway.

He enjoyed gardening and fishing and was an active member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Lorain and volunteered his time in many community activities including Meals-on-Wheels. He loved helping friends and family with his skills and his time.

The family will receive friends Sunday 2 - 4 p.m., 7 - 9 p.m. at the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Ave., Lorain. Funeral services will be held Monday at 10:30 a.m. in the funeral chapel followed by the mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 1305 E. Erie Ave., Lorain. The Rev. Chuck Henkle, associate pastor of the Catholic Church of St. Peter in Lorain, will officiate. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Lorain where VFW #451 and American Legion #30 will conduct military honors.

Memorial contributions can be made to St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 1305 E. Erie Ave., Lorain, OH. 44052.

Online condolences may be made at www.gluvna.net.