Joseph ‘Big Joe’ Oliver Thomas Sr., 84, entered into eternal peace on Thursday, May 22, 2014.
Joe was born of Anguillan descent in New York City on Dec. 19, 1929 to the late John and Amelia Thomas.
After serving in the military, he met and married his late wife Ellen in September 1954. The Thomas family settled in Westbury where Joe became employed with the U.S. Post Office.
Joe also became very active in his community. He founded the Westbury Drum and Bugle Corp, was a life member of the 369th Veterans Association, Inc., where he served as President of the Long Island branch, and was an active member of the Church of the Advent in Westbury where he served six years on the Vestry board. As active as Joe was with his family and his community, he was able to earn a Bachelor’s of Arts degree from State University of New York at Old Westbury.
Joe completed 38 years of service with the post office and he and Ellen retired to Spring Hill, Florida in 1986. There in Spring Hill, Joe co-founded and became the first president of the African American Club of Hernando, Inc., and also became a member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Spring Hill, Florida.
Joseph Sr. is survived and leaves his loving memories to be cherished by his five children, Joseph Jr., Tyrone (Needa), Penny, Deborah, and Tracy (Shirley). Three grandchildren, Robert Matthew, Nicole Joellen, and Tyrone Joseph. Several nieces and a nephew and many other family and friends.
A memorial service was held Monday, June 16 at 10 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Spring Hill, Florida.
