Harold David Thomas
RAPID RIVER — Harold David Thomas was born the third son to Christopher Thomas and Bertha Anderson-Thomas on June 10, 1927 in the small town of Rapid River, Mich. He is preceded in death by his wife, Shirley and his older brothers George (Bert) and Christopher (Jerry), his younger brother Dennis, his younger sisters Gail Thomas and Ann Thomas and his youngest daughter Paula Bologna.
At the age of 3 Harold’s mother was diagnosed with tuberculosis and she was sent to a sanatorium to recover. As a result Harold and his two brothers were sent to live with various relatives. Harold went to live with his Aunt and Uncle Roberts on a dairy farm close by. There he would help his uncle milk the cows and remained on the farm even after his mother returned to their home in Rapid River until the age of 15. Harold enlisted in the Navy in 1944 just prior to the end of World War II and turning 18. He spent the bulk of his time stationed on Mare Island, a submarine base off the Northern coast of California.
Upon his release from the Navy he returned to Rapid River where he worked at the Anderson Mill (his maternal grandfather’s mill) for a year. His oldest brother talked him into going down to the Detroit area of Michigan for better job opportunities where he met his first wife April DeGroff. They were married in 1950 and had two daughters, Deborah and Carol. April and Harold divorced in 1959. Harold met his second wife Shirley Bologna in 1963 and they had a daughter, Paula in 1965. They remained married until Shirley’s untimely death in 1996. His daughter Paula also died way to soon at the age of 33 in 1999.
Harold was a jack of all trades as he was a quick learner and doing any type of mechanical work came easy for him. When he first arrived in Detroit he started work at a variety of jobs here and there until he landed a job delivering Pepperidge Farm bread which he enjoyed for eight years. He learned many skills over the years and in 1970 he landed a job with a Master Plumber and learned plumbing skills. In 1971 he went to work for NBD keeping 28 of their branches maintained until his retirement in 1992.
Harold is survived by his daughters Deborah Peltier and Carol Mitchell (Ken), his five grandchildren, Shawn Mitchell (Mary), Jason Stein, Kristen Mitchell, Jessica Mitchell and Taylor Peltier, and his great-granddaughter Maxine Lynn Mitchell. He is also survived by his two nieces, Deb Letourneau (Mike) and Cathy Deanau (Gary) and several great nieces and great, great nephews and nieces. Harold passed away peacefully in Fountain Valley, California on March 14, 2024. He was a good man, a good father who did his best always and had a long and fulfilling life. He was loved by many and will be deeply missed.