In Memory of Richard W. “Dick” Thomas Sr.

Obituary

Richard W. Thomas Sr., 82, of New Hartford, died on Saturday, December 27, 2025 at Wynn Hospital with his loved ones by his side. 

Dick, as he was affectionately known, was born October 13,1943 in Utica, NY.  He is survived by his children who gave him immense pride, Richard Jr and Beth Thomas; Robert Thomas; Jennifer and Leslie Bailey; Kimberly and Daniel Hind; his loving sisters Anne Thomas and Gail Lallier, and supportive inlaws Barbara and Bob Kaelin, Nancy Watts, Tom and Liz Woolheater, Linda Mierek and Rita Stefanski.

He leaves behind amazing grandchildren, Sarah and Matt Burns; Andrew Thomas and his fiancee, Gianna Arcuri; Matthew, Alexander, and Madalynn Bailey; Brent Thomas; Chase and Mason Hind; one great granddaughter, Adeline Burns; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.  

Dick was predeceased by his loving wife of 56 years, Marion, and their cherished son, Mark Thomas, his sister in law, Sister Patricia Woolheater, and brother in law, Louis Watts; his parents, Robert and Elizabeth Thomas and his inlaws, Martin and Ethel Woolheater.  

Dick graduated from New Hartford High School in 1961. He married his love, Marion, on September 9, 1967 and they began Dick’s lifelong calling to operate his family’s dairy farm. Dick was an extremely hard worker in every aspect of his life. He farmed alongside his father, Bob, for many years and was very involved in the local farming community. He made and maintained lifelong friendships with his fellow farmers.  

After his retirement from farming, Dick worked as a custodian and bus driver in New York Mills Schools and ended his busing career with the New Hartford Central School District. During this time, he enjoyed working for many years as a tour bus driver as well.  He was a devout Catholic and member of St. John’s the Evangelist Church in New Hartford. 

It was in the early years of their marriage that Dick and Marion developed a love for square dancing and ultimately a love for line dancing. Prior to Marion’s illness, they were line dancing in area country bars and establishments every weekend. Dick continued his line dancing until just recently. He enjoyed all the time he spent with his line dancing family and favorite bands. He proudly acquired the nickname of “Cowboy”.

In recent years, when Dick’s body was struggling to keep up with his zest for life, dancing, and adventures, he actively sought out treatments and remedies for his ailments, which lead him to corrective surgeries, work outs at the Parkway Senior Center, and Rock Steady Boxing classes. He is infamously remembered for wearing his cowboy boots home after hip replacement surgery.

Dick loved to socialize and always had a story to share about his children or grandchildren’s accomplishments and a joke to tell. He was the life of a party. To know him was to love him.   

Dick’s funeral will be on Monday, January 5th, at 10:00 am at St. John the Evangelist Church, New Hartford where a Funeral Mass will be celebrated. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. Calling hours will be on Sunday, January 4th, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral and Cremation Services, 13 Oxford Rd., New Hartford.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Community Wellness Partners to help provide vital services, programs and care to older adults in our community.  https://www.communitywellnesspartners.org/donate/

To offer online expressions of sympathy go to fwefh.com.