Linda Peate (Powrie)

Jim, your stories of Fred made me smile.  Especially swimming naked at the CAC.  My Dad belonged so now I know he swam naked! Eeeewwwww!!!  Fred was a humorous guy who really could spin some comments on politics!  I would read these things to my Fred, and he LOVED his comments; plus it made him laugh as we are staunch Republicans (sorry, guys as I know many of you aren't!l) who loved how he could reduce things to a paragraph so succinctly. (and say things that we have been thinking, and he didn't care if people approved or not.)  Fred will be soooo missed, and I pray he runs into my Tahnee up there.  Talk about having fun!  Fred will be laughing and so will she.  What a sense of humor she had, so they can "hang out" and shoot the breeze and stories! Keep the good Lord in stitches.

Jim, our neighbor in Medina lived on the cul de sac across from us. They were best friends with Lou Grouza.  The kids had no idea who he was, but we sure did!  His license plate said "THE TOE".  My Fred soooo wanted to go invade his visit with our neighbors, but we didn't know them well enough.  (They were older.)  And having to swim naked with him---well I wouldn't be able to...I mean if I was a guy!

William F. Moga

spoke with FT just two days prior . . .

you may all be comforted to know he was as funny and acerbic as ever . . . 

said he felt well enough - all things considered . . . 

i'm thinking this is just his way of making a political statement . . . 

" hey fred . . . wha'd'ya think about hillary as President ? "

Michael Matlak

I just read the sad news about John Dawson,s wife and Fred Thomas. I am very sad and broken hearted that this has happened. I will keep them in my prayers. Just remember that this may be a rough time, but remember that they are in a "Much Better Place." May God Bless Them and Rest in Peace".

Alan Greenleaf

Fred Thomas's family has put up a memorial web page, with funeral details, etc.  You can access this by clicking on Fred's profile on this website.

Memorial services are scheduled for Saturday March 5th at 2:00pm at Parkway United Methodist Church (worship center) in Sugar Land, TX.

Elmore Bacon

So sorry to hear of Fred's passing.

Although I never got to know him very well, I remember him as always being a good guy, and fun to be with.

I know he'll be missed.

Holly Portz (Koiro (1945-2023))

So sad that we have lost another classmate.  I will miss his unique postings on this site..always fascinating or BS...wasn't sure which.   Mostly I remember a few dates in his very cool red Thunderbird convertible.

Treasure each day!

Richard Currier

So sorry to hear about Fred Thomas passing away. I'll miss his humor and his sharp witted comments that he posted. RIP, Fred. - Rick Currier

Ellen Aspinwall (Templar)

Happy Birthday, guitar man!

Linda Peate (Powrie)

Hi Holly!  Haven't heard from you for a while.  Wow, I never knew he had a red Thunderbird!  How cool. I can see him driving that car!!  Never knew him well, but he was always very kind to me, and I loved his humor.

My Dad had an Olds convertible, black w/red interior, but would NEVER let us drive it!  Guess he was afraid we would crash his prized posession!  When you went out w/my Fred, am sure he brought his Dad's Chevy Impala that had the plastic seats that girls' legs stuck to.  When I began dating him, he took me home to meet his parents & I found out his mother had plastic on every piece of furniture, and we always wore skirts back then!  So, sticking was just something your legs got used to!  Did you stick to seats of those who wants to preserve their couches and cars instead of enjoying the nice fabric?

Larry Gilbert

So strange and sad to come back to the Forum and see Fred's posts at the top of the page and through much of February....  He will be missed. Thanks, Fred, for all your humor, commentary, and sometimes mysterious narratives. The  Grim Reaper may have won the battle, but you have won the prize. Rest in peace as we look forward in our time to seeing you again. 

Mike "Bud" Manco

Ok that's it!  No one is allowed to die. No more classmates; no more spouses ; and no more kids. We are too young and have too much more life in us. I want everyone to spend all their time with family, friends, and "young" classmates.  That's an order!

Bruce McKelvey (McKelvey)

Buddy,

                     I have been preaching that for years. That is why I have been encouraging our yeary gatherings. We are all out of warranty, and things are starting to "Go South" Lets enjoy each others company and friendship while we can. We don't want to say "Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda" after the fact. So let's get together and hoist one for Sam, and Fred. LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL !!!!!

Barbara Peate (Sabo)

To John Dawson, my heart breaks for you.  So many years with the same person.  As Lin said after her daughter passed away, it gets easier as time goes by but you never, ever forget.  We still have our days (after many years) of sadness that she can't be here to enjoy some of the things she could have, but God chose another path for her.  Just FYI, if none of you have gone to Fred Thomas' site, I suggest you do so.  If you scroll to the seond picture of him and his wife by a cruise ship, there is a site to log onto and there are pictures and memories, etc.  His son gave a wonderful tribute to him after the memorial service.  Quite touching and insight into Fred.

William F. Moga

JD . . . 

may the love of family and friends bring comfort to your heart . . . 

WFM

Mike "Bud" Manco

Bruce, your right. We need to stay connected beyond this medium. I'll be up north after Easter. If anyone wants to get together for a beverage. Let me know. I'm taking reservations and my time is your time. 

William F. Moga

JD . . . 

yeah . . st. chris '59 . . . 

what a memory you  have . . . 

dad died when i was in third grade . . .

in 4th grade, sister grace marie told the class

a soul couldn't go to heaven if the body wasn't  buried in a catholic cemetary . . . 

that was the day i left the church . . . 

wanted to see my dad again . . . 

still do . . .

Patrick Gillespie

Fitness Matters! Take a look at this brief video - it is for all of us!   Copy and paste

https://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;_ylt=A2KLqIIQ4uFWcQkAjQA0nIlQ;_ylu=X3oDMTByZWc0dGJtBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDdmlkBHZ0aWQDBGdwb3MDMQ--?p=Why+Fitness+Matters-Mike+Vacanti&vid=feccf3f5288b1b8e7695836390fb06d1&turl=http%3A%2F%2Ftse4.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOVP.Vddd69dd23f0cad9465368b06517d758a%26pid%3D15.1%26h%3D168%26w%3D300%26c%3D7%26rs%3D1&rurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DvZRCkUzROr0&tit=Why+Fitness+Actually+Matters+HD+%2858-97+years+old%29&c=0&h=168&w=300&l=231&sigr=11babe493&sigt=11hv4s72n&sigi=131afsvva&age=1451072631&fr2=p%3As%2Cv%3Av&fr=yhs-iry-fullyhosted_011&hsimp=yhs-fullyhosted_011&hspart=iry&tt=b

Alan Greenleaf

@ Pat Gillespie, This is a very important video you posted.  To think that you could avoid a nuring home by simply practicing getting up from a chair repeatedly, or better, doing a few squats every day, in just incredible.  Thanks so much for sharing it!

Here is the link again, an easier way:  LINK 

Also, I think it would be wonferful to have more local get-togethers while we can.  Let's all do it.

Nancy Westerfield (Depew)

Bruce McKelvey (McKelvey)

Good Lord willin...and the creek don't rise...I hope to be in Ohio in September or October......

Mike "Bud" Manco

Let's plan on having several before Bruce gets here. Nancy and Al let's start the ball rolling!

Alan Greenleaf

Great idea Mike.  I am making a list of the Cleveland area classmates, from the "Ohio" list on here.  That will be our Master for "RRHS Local, Cleveland".  Maybe you guys can also search for classmates near you, and arrange some get togethers.  I'll get back to you on this.  

Mike "Bud" Manco

Great idea Allen!  The "twins" and I are meeting this Wed morning for a late breakfast if anyone in the southwest Florida are wants to join us. 

Barbara Peate (Sabo)

The "twins" are looking forward to seeing Mike (guess we don't call him Buddy anymore) and his wife, Bonnie, on Wednesday!  It's gotten very warm and muggy down here, Mike.  Sun every day too!

Ellen Aspinwall (Templar)

He will forever be "Buddy!"  Or at least, "Bud." That's a good thing! Please give us a report on your Florida gathering!