Anthony Raymond Thomas (known as Ray) of Franklin, MA died at Milford Regional Medical Center after a two-year battle with neuroendocrine cancer on Saturday, August 8, 2018. He was 70 years old.
Ray is survived by his wife, Paulette T. Thomas (née Godin), his sister Marie Thomas Sandler, four daughters Jennifer E. Bavar, Cheryl M. Thomas (Bavar), Nicole R. Conlin, and Renee Thomas Pyrtel; four nephews Daniel Sandler, David Sandler, Marc Farmer, and Eric Farmer; four sons-in-law Amir Bavar, Orod Bavar, Richard Conlin, and Mikael Pyrtel; and ten grandchildren Nicholas Conlin, Sarah Bavar (Ballarino), Matthew Conlin, Shadi Bavar, Natalie Bavar, Niki Bavar, Navid Bavar, Nadia Conlin, Adehl Bavar, and Shayan Bavar.
Ray was born in Shamokin, PA and grew up in nearby Kulpmont. He attended the University of Detroit, earning degrees in mathematics and English, and began his career as a high school teacher before joining the corporate world. Ray spent the majority of his career as a marketing communications executive with Burroughs Corporation, Data General Corporation, Brodeur Worldwide, the Chaffee Center at Bryant University, and finished his professional career with his own consulting firm, A. Ray Business Communications.
Ray’s greatest passion was his family. He exuded pride in his children and grandchildren, always supporting and encouraging them. His other passions were Christmas, trains, and sports. Throughout his life, Ray built an extensive collection of Lionel trains, which he set up in the basement along with a wonderland of multiple Christmas trees and decorations. He particularly loved golf, baseball, softball, and basketball, coaching many Franklin Youth basketball and softball teams, and after his retirement spent as much time as he could on the golf course. Such was his passion for the game that he golfed just 11 days before his death.
A wake is scheduled for the evening of Wednesday, August 22, from 4-8 p.m. at Charles F. Oteri & Son Funeral Home in Franklin, MA. On Thursday, August 23, funeral procession will begin at 9 a.m. followed by Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Jude’s Catholic Church in Norfolk, MA and burial services at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Franklin, MA. Collation immediately following at 3 Restaurant in Franklin.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ray’s name to the St. Vincent de Paul Society or to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Milford, MA.
