Griffith Edwards Thomas ’44

PETE DIED in his sleep, at the Maplewood Nursing Home, Westmoreland, N.H., July 20, 1992, after an almost tenyear struggle with Alzheimer's disease. It was time for this goodhearted, tough, true individual. Who can forget this fun loving guy who loved a good fight and whose face carried the evidences of his joy of battle and rebellion against any sort of regimentation. J Members of '43, our administrators of the "Dink," knew him well and approached him warily on the paths to Commons. Pete was a cornerstone in the Lawrenceville foursome, of Halsey Smith, Chuck Matthews, Bud Freisell, and Thomas, that brought such joy to Holder and to Cottage Club. His fights were epic. He left in our sophomore year and joined the U.S.M.C. as an infantry officer. He fought with the Second Marine Div., shedding blood at Saipan, Tinian, and Okinawa from hits in his groin, neck, and chest. The third Purple Heart was enough, and he returned to Janet and began a career in refractory sales to the Pittsburgh area steal mills. At retirement he was manager of the Youngstown Office of Combustion Engineering. An avid, 6-handicap golfer, he settled in Naples, Fla., only to confront the early effects of Alzheimer's. He and Janet chose to move to New Hampshire, in proximity to their four sons. It was their final move. This wonderful warmhearted tiger's ashes were spread over the St. Lawrence River, near the family's summer home in the Thousand Islands. Pete, with the Corps, your Class salutes you. Our heartfelt condolences to Janet and all the family.

The Class of 1944