Henry M. Thomay ’55

Hank, a lifelong resident of Cleveland, died Nov. 29, 2024.

He was born May 12, 1933, and attended John Marshall High School, where he participated in baseball, basketball, and student government.

At Princeton, Hank joined Quadrangle Club and majored in German. He was captain of the freshman baseball team and won two major letters in varsity baseball. His IAA activities included club bowling and football. Hank was associated with Orange Key and managed Esquire Sales on campus. He roomed at Quadrangle with Bill Clark, Dex Morrison, and Richard Harper Frye.

Hank was the first person in his family to graduate from college. In later years, he would listen to son Mark read aloud the list of classmates, often interrupting with a chuckle of recognition or a surprising story. One of his proudest memories was reflected in a photo of Hank and Dick Savage ’54 in baseball uniforms, two kids from Cleveland who were Princeton’s keystone combo in the early 1950s.

After graduation, Hank served two years in the Army, then earned a law degree and began a lifelong career in banking and real estate. He became general counsel at Peoples Savings and Loan of Cleveland, rising to president in the late 1970s. He loved racquet sports, posting age-related successes in racquetball and tennis. Hank was devoted to Cleveland pro sports, attending many games at the old Municipal Stadium, including the 1964 NFL Championship game.

Hank spent many days following the athletic and academic endeavors of his three children, Mark, Lynne and Brian; seven grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. His wife, Elnore, predeceased him in 2000.