Raymond Thomas

BOARDMAN - A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday at 11 a.m. at St. Christine Church, with Msgr. David Rhodes officiating for Raymond J. Thomas, 80, who passed away Saturday evening at Shepherd of the Valley in Boardman.

Ray was born June 28, 1935, in Youngstown, a son of the late William and Isabelle M. (Schomer) Thomas.

Ray was a 1953 graduate of Ursuline High School. He served his country in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1960. Ray was an inside wireman for the Electrical Workers 64 I.B.E.W for 39 years, retiring in 1992. He had his commercial pilot aircraft license with instrument rating. Ray was past president of Serra of Mahoning County, member of St. Vincent DePaul Society and an I.B.E.W. member since 1955 and was a member of the Porsche Club of America.

He was a member of St. Christine Church and was a Eucharistic Minister and adult server. Ray also delivered meals on wheels and did a lot of charity work for the community.

Ray leaves his wife, the former Mary I. Place, whom he married May 18, 1974; a sister, Dorothy Place of Springboro; and a brother, A. Frank Thomas of Baden, Pa.; and sister-in-law, Jean Thomas.

He was also preceded in death by four sisters, Eileen Place, Ruth Marie Place, Marjorie (William) Downie, and Mary (Charles) Barnhart; brother Robert Thomas; and a brother-in-law, Francis Place.

Family and friends may pay their respects on Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Boardman-Canfield and Wednesday from 10:15 to 10:45 a.m. at the church.

In lieu of flowers, material tributes may take the form of donations to St. Christine Church, St. Vincent DePaul Society or a charity of the donors choice.

Professional arrangements are being handled by the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Boardman-Canfield Chapel.