Ronald William Thomas, 76, of Gorton Lake, passed away Sunday, August 24, 2008 at the Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare Center, with his wife and brother by his side. He was born August 20, 1932, in Utica, the son of the late Frank J., Jr. and Ann E. Hanauer Thomas. Mr. Thomas attended school at Blessed Sacrament and was a graduate of St. Francis deSales High School, Class of 1950. He proudly served his country in the US Air Force from 1952-1956, during the Korean War. Mr. Thomas was stationed overseas in Japan for two years and rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant. On May 29, 1971, at Blessed Sacrament Church, Utica, he married Mary Lou Fulmer. For 30 years, Mr. Thomas was employed with the New York Telephone Company (Verizon), retiring as a Supervisor in 1986. He was a parishioner of St. Bernard's Church in Waterville and was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Deerfield, the VFW in Utica, the Clifford J. Fulmer American Legion Post #92 in Waterville, the NRA and the Gorton Lake Association. Ronald was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed wildlife, skiing, traveling and golfing. He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou; a brother, Frank J. Thomas, III of Whitesboro; a niece, Roseann (David) Burke of Virginia Beach, VA; four nephews, Frank (Olga) Thomas of Centennial, CO, Richard Thomas of St. Petersburg, FL, Mark (Toni) Thomas of Utica and Robert (Julie) Thomas of Mars, PA; six great nieces and nephews; and a sister-in-law, JoAnn Vierthaler of Rochester. He was predeceased by his sister-in-law, Barbara E. Thomas. The funeral will be Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Kloster-Northrop & Bentz Funeral Home, 210 E. Main St., Waterville, with Rev. Thomas Servatius officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in St. Bernard's Cemetery, Waterville. Calling hours are Thursday from 12-2, prior to the service.