LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Daniel J. Thomas, distin-
guished citizen and devoted member of his community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to mourn the
death of Daniel J. Thomas, distinguished citizen and devoted member of
his community; and
WHEREAS, Daniel J. Thomas, a resident of Wurtsboro, New York, died on
December 24, 2014, at the age of 86; and
WHEREAS, The son of the late Marie and Jacob Thomas, Daniel J. Thomas
was born on August 17, 1928, in Hamtramck, Michigan; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed man served his country honorably as a member of
the United States Marine Corps during the second World War; he holds the
distinction of being the youngest Marine to fight at the Battle of Iwo
Jima, one of the deadliest battles in the Pacific Theater during World
War II; and
WHEREAS, Following the completion of his military service, Daniel J.
Thomas completed high school, and went on to graduate from Indiana
University, where he was a football star; and
WHEREAS, After graduation, Daniel J. Thomas continued to serve his
country as an FBI Special Agent from 1952 to 1961; and
WHEREAS, Daniel J. Thomas next married Joan Halloran and the two moved
to Wurtsboro, New York; he then took over the operation of his father-
in-law's restaurant, Danny's Village Inn, one of the most popular eater-
ies in the region; and
WHEREAS, Daniel J. Thomas distinguished himself in his profession and
by his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the welfare of
his community; and
WHEREAS, After serving a term on the Mamakating Town Board, Daniel J.
Thomas became a Coach on the Orange Rockets of the Monticello Youth
Football League; his leadership helped inspire the struggling team to
great success on the football field; and
WHEREAS, Daniel J. Thomas's commitment to excellence, and his spirit
of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including char-
itable and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, Daniel J. Thomas was a member of numerous civic and profes-
sional organizations, including the Mamakating VFW, the Mamakating Amer-
ican Legion, the Knights of Columbus Council No. 14560, Mamakating
Seniors, and the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI; and
WHEREAS, A man of faith, Daniel J. Thomas was also a member of St.
Joseph's Catholic Church in Wurtsboro; and
WHEREAS, Predeceased by his parents and his two sisters, Delphine
Capaldi and Genevieve Wojciechowski, Daniel J. Thomas is survived by his
wife of 60 years, Joan Halloran Thomas, and his many loving nieces and
nephews, including Vincent Rampe, Chris Rampe, Kathy Motl (JT), and
Eleanor Pannenbacker (Roy); and
WHEREAS, Armed with humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Daniel J. Thomas leaves behind a legacy which will long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Daniel J. Thomas, distinguished citizen and devoted
member of his community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Daniel J. Thomas.