Obituary of The Donald N. Thomas

The Rev. Donald N. Thomas, formerly of Olean passed away Tuesday December 2, 2008 in the Brooks Memorial Hospital, Dunkirk. Father Thomas was born on Sept. 8th 1930 in Olean and was a son of James & Behia Rizkallah Thomas. He attended St. Mary's School and graduated for Olean High School Class of 1948. Father Thomas attended St. Bonaventure University for two years and briefly served in the U.S. Navy in 1951. Father Thomas graduated from the University of Buffalo with a master's degree in history and government. He was a librarian in Franklinville and Fredonia for a short time. In 1964 he entered Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Seminary in Washington D.C. Father Thomas was ordained in Hartford Ct. in July of 1968. He received his master's degree in theology from Catholic University of America in Washington. He was a pastor in St. Louis Mo until 1974, then Torrington, Ct. for three years and then back to St. Louis until 1980. Following that he was named pastor of St. Ann's Church in Troy for five years and then in 1986 Father Thomas was called to be pastor at St. Joseph's Church in Olean where retired from in 2000. Father Thomas has lived in Fredonia for the past six years. Surviving Father Thomas are two sisters, Mrs. Rita (Thomas) Lynch of Dunkirk, and Mrs. Nancy (David) McClelland of Clarion, PA.; two brothers, Edmund J.(Candy) Thomas of Evans, NY, and Joseph J. Thomas of Olean; and many nieces and nephews. Father Thomas was pre-deceased by his parents and two sisters Elizabeth Yehl and Cecelia A. Yehl. Friends will be received on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM in St. Joseph's Church 331 N. 4th S. Olean. Tuesday evening at 6:30 PM there will be a Funeral Service for Priests followed by an Incense Service. Mass of Christian Burial will be Wed. Dec. 10, 2008 at 10:00 AM. with the main celebrant being The Exultance Gregory J. Mansour, Bishop of Maronite Eparchy of St. Maron of Brooklyn NY and concelebrated by other priest from different rites. Burial will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Joseph's Church 331 N. 4th Street, Olean, New York 14760. Arrangements are under the direction of the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc. #646 E. State Street, Olean.