Alton (Pete) Thomas Sr. passed away on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, at the age of 85 at Yale New Haven Hospital. His battle with medical issues in the past year showed his courage in facing life’s challenges with a humble heart.
He was the fourth child of the late Ed and Geneva Thomas, born in Parmelee, North Carolina. He attended school at WC Chance and finished his education in Baltimore, Maryland. After his mother passed, he went to live with his brother Ed and his wife Cleavy, and then he moved to New Haven.
Pete met and married Mary Louise Smith, who was also from North Carolina, and they enjoyed life in the Quinnipiac Court community where they met many friends who shared their love for cooking, entertainment and raising a family.
Pete was a humble, hardworking man whose main goal was to support his family and raise his two sons, Alton Jr., and Bryant Keith. Pete was a man with several talents, one of which was photography. He filmed weddings and other events as a freelance photographer. What began as a hobby became a passion for him. He also enjoyed boating and fishing.
He was employed as a chef at Mory’s in New Haven for more than 25 years until his retirement. He was active in his beloved church, St. Paul UAME Episcopal Church where he served as an usher and of course you would find him cooking in the Fellowship Hall with other parishioners. Pete also helped coordinate the Littles’ family reunion events which brought him good joy.
Pete loved the Lord and was a faithful servant.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary (1988); son, Alton, Jr. (2014); brother, Ed, Jr.; and sisters, Diane and Doris.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his son, Bryant (Ivonne); his beloved granddaughters, Bryanna and Autumn; and grandsons, Michael, Alberto, and Bryant Jr; great-grandsons, Carter and Devin; beloved sister-in-law, Cleavy Thomas, of Baltimore, MD; brother, Elois (Randy) Dupree, NYC; and uncle James Hassell of Baltimore, MD; and a host of close friends & family.
Acknowledgment
We humbly say Thank you! For the beautiful cards, telegram too! For personal visits and phone calls from you. For delicious food and lovely flowers, for prayer during trying hours. For comforting words that brightened our days, for help received in so many ways. May God Bless each one of you.
The Thomas Family.
The family will receive friends Tuesday, November 15, 2022, from 10:00 – 11:00 AM at St. Paul Union American Methodist Episcopal Church, 1267 Chapel St, New Haven, CT 06511. A celebration of his life will begin at 11:00 AM. Interment will be at Beaverdale Memorial Park, New Haven, CT. Services by Howard K. Hill Funeral Services, 1287 Chapel St, New Haven, CT 06511. To leave a message of comfort for the Thomas’ family, please visit, www.hkhfuneralservices.com