Joseph Alban Thomas
Born In: Tilley Road New Brunswick
Born: January 5th, 1922
Passed in: Big Pond
Passed on: June 25th, 2015
Joseph Alban Thomas passed away peacefully in his sleep surrounded by family at 5:04 a.m. Thursday, June 25, 2015, at his home in Big Pond, at the age of 93.
Alban was born at Tilley Road, New Brunswick on Jan. 5, 1922. He was the son of Michel and Hélène (Hall) Thomas.
He is survived by his two daughters, Colette Thomas, Carnarvon, Ont. and Christina (Jim) Kinnear, Dawson Creek, B.C.; sons, Danny, Big Pond, Murray (Kelley), Rankin Inlet, Nunavut and Michael (Emily), Westmount; 12 grandchildren, David, Jade, Michael, Seumas, Joey, Charles, Andrew, Danielle, Marissa, Jenna, Brogan and Payton; six great-grandchildren, Brooke, Xander, Zac, Nahlya, Kale and Jeremiah; five sisters, Yvonne (Charles) Lanteigne, Thérèse Godin, Sr. Lucienne Thomas, all of Bathurst, N.B., Claudine, Quebec and Helen (Arthur) Drysdale, Montreal Que.; one brother, Jean-Claude (Thérèse) of Saint-Sauveur, N.B. and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by both parents, his wife, Phyllis Therese (Burrows), sister, Jeanette Archer, brothers, Michel and Gerald, also a sister and brother in infancy.
Alban was a man of great faith, a loving husband and father and a well-respected, active member of his community. He was a member of the Big Pond Volunteer Fire Department and a member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters. Certified as a master carpenter with his specialty as a finish carpenter, he was a master at his craft and many homes in Cape Breton were built with his hands including his own. He was known for his giving and kind heart and helping those in need, always leaving a light on for a weary traveller who was in need of a night’s shelter.
He will lovingly be remembered by family and his many friends, and his inspiring posts on Facebook will be missed.
The family would like to thank the VON nurses especially Annemarie MacArthur Barry, County Home Makers, and the Palliative Care team for all their love and support.
Visitation will take place at S.W. Chant & Son Funeral Home from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., June 28 with funeral mass at St. Mary’s Parish, Big Pond, June 29 at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation and the Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of S.W. Chant & Son Funeral Home.
