Francis D. Thomas, Sharpsville Ave., Sharon Pa. passed away unexpectedly at his residence on Monday (2-23-09) at 1:21 p.m. following a battle with cancer. He was 63.
He was born on October 24, 1945 in Sharon, the son of William J. Thomas and Gertrude Garhart Thomas.
A lifelong city resident, he graduated from Sharon High School in 1965.
He served with the United States Army.
Francis retired from the former Sharon Steel Corporation with more than 25 years of service to the Farrell plant. After his retirement from Sharon Steel, he worked as a carrier for Advanced Health, Orangeville, Ohio.
He was a former member of Sacred Heart Church, Sharon.
He enjoyed golfing and bowling and belonged to several leagues over the years.
A car enthusiast, he belonged to the Shenango Valley Corvette Club.
He is survived by his three sisters, Rose Marie Haines and her husband Robert, Catherine Strimpel, Hermitage, and Gertrude Wells and her husband Lawrence, Masury, Ohio; five brothers, William J. Thomas Jr. and his wife Rose, Robert H. Thomas and his wife Margaret, Charles G. Thomas and his wife Carol, Dennis E. Thomas, all of Sharon, and Hank J. Thomas, Brookfield, Ohio; numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Margaret Torok, and a brother James Thomas.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society Western Region 320 Bilmar Dr. Pittsburgh, Pa. 15205-4620
Calling hours: 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday (2-26-09) in the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory Inc. 1090 E. State St. Sharon. A Rosary will be recited at 4:30 prior to the calling hours.
Services: A funeral service will be held Friday (2-27-09) in the funeral home chapel with Rev. James A. Reardon, pastor of St. John Parish, Tidioute, Pa., officiating
Interment: St. Mary's Cemetery, Hermitage