Phillip Thomas

Phillip Thomas, age 89, of Chardon, Ohio, passed away on Saturday, April 20th, 2024, with his loving family by his side.

He was born on August 20th, 1934 in Wales (United Kingdom of Great Britain) and was fluent in the Welsh language.

Phillip was a child of WWII and witnessed firsthand the bombing of Swansea Wales (“Swansea Blitz”) from February 19th to the 21st of 1941.

In 1948 he immigrated, along with his family, to the United States where he became a naturalized citizen. The Thomas family settled in New Salem and also lived in Fairchance and Uniontown. Phillip attended and graduated from Georges Township High School in 1953, where he loved playing football for his school. He was an avid athlete and Boy Scout.

After graduating high school, he joined The US Navy attaining the rank of Petty Officer 1st Class, serving aboard the destroyer USS Zellars, and crossing the Atlantic Ocean multiple times. He received the National Defense Medal and the European Occupation Medal during his service in the Navy.

Upon being honorably discharged, Phillip returned to Uniontown where he met and married his lovely wife of 64 years. He moved to Ohio and started his own business installing and servicing overhead cranes in the steel industry. Later, he was the head of maintenance for Olympic Steel, at their Bedford Heights Ohio headquarters.

As a true Welshman with a strong bass voice, he loved to sing and for many years was a member of the United Methodist Church Choir. Phillip also sang for 25 years with the Geauga County Hunger Task Force, in their benefit performance of Handel's “Messiah” raising donations to support the community. He was also a member of the Burton, Ohio Masonic Lodge #274. In his free time, he enjoyed woodworking, bowling, and playing golf.

Phillip was preceded in death by his father, mother, two sisters, and a brother.

He is survived by his wife, two daughters, son, daughter-in-law, grandson, and several nieces and nephews. In addition, he has a large group of cousins across the pond in Wales. He will be dearly missed by family and friends whose lives were enriched by his presence.

Phillip's celebration of life and burial will be held on Friday, April 26th from 11:00 until 1:00PM at The Dearth Funeral Home 35 South Mill Street New Salem, PA. A Funeral Service will be held at 1:00PM with Pastor William Wiegand officiating. Interment will follow in Salem View Cemetery where Full Military Honors will be accorded by The Hopwood AMVETS Post #103.

www.dearthfh.com

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