Obituaries

Paul Thomas, 83, beloved husband of Irene Roman, died peacefully in his home on Saturday, July 14, 2012, surrounded by his loving family. In addition to his wife, he leaves his children Paul Jr., Susan, Kristine, and Laura. He also leaves his step-children with Irene, Laura Ludington and husband, Mark; Michael Zinkiewicz; the late Joseph Zinkiewicz and his widow, Elizabeth. He also leaves five grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Affectionately known as “Mr. Huggy”, Paul was known for his positive attitude toward life, even in the face of illness. Since retirement, he performed over one thousand puppet shows to children as well as adults, where he taught self-appreciation and laughter.
Paul was “one of a kind” creative, humorous, and engaging, with many interests, including theatre. He played the lead role of Emile de Becque in South Pacific in community theater. He sang with shoreline choral groups. He was poet laureate in his church, Shoreline Unitarian Universalist Society. Paul was always full of life, a leader in the community and respected by his peers.
Paul was born on June 27, 1929 in Cambridge, Mass. He graduated from Syracuse University with a B.S. in psychology, obtained his law degree in 1954, and was awarded his J.D. in 1958. He served with the Army Counter-Intelligence Corps. He was the Rome, N.Y. city urban director in 1960, and the Executive Assistant for the Mental Health Association in New York from 1963-1974. He was a member of the New York State Bar Association. He was an active member of the American Civil Liberties Union, Common Cause, and the Capital District Press Club. Paul was active in the shoreline VNA Parkinson’s group, an important part of his later years.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 4, 2012, at 1 p.m. at the Shoreline Unitarian Universalist Society in Madison, CT. Contributions and remembrances can be made to the Shoreline Unitarian Universalist Society, 297 Boston Post Road, Madison, CT 06443; Connecticut Hospice, 100 Double Beach Road, Branford, CT 06405, and the VNA Community Healthcare - Parkinson’s Group, 753 Boston Post Road, Guilford, CT 06437.