Dean Thomas

Dean Martin Thomas

Peacefully on Thursday, March 31, 2011, Dean Thomas of St. Ambroise, passed away at the Portage District General Hospital after a long courageous battle with cancer at the age of 50 years. He will be lovingly remembered by his beloved wife Yolande, son Cody (Paige), mother Sally, father-in-law Harry Lavallee, sisters Lynne, Anna and Trey, brother Kevin, brother-in-law Denis, nephew Denny and many nieces and nephews. Dean was predeceased by his son Lyle, father Louis and mother-in-law Geraldine.

Dean was born on October 27, 1960 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He was the second oldest of five children born to Louis and Sally Thomas. At the age of 15, Dean went to work for Subterranean where he maintained a position for 35 years. On September 5, 1981 he married Yolande. They had two sons Lyle and Cody. Tragically in 2001 they lost Lyle in a construction accident. Dean had a great sense of humor, a strong work ethic and was always willing to lend a helping hand.

Dean, Yolande, Cody and Paige would like to give many thanks: to all the Cancer Care Manitoba Doctors especially Dr. P Szajkowski and Denise Klassen; to the nursing staff at Portage District General Hospital for their care and compassion; to Marilyn Bonnet and her homecare workers and nurses; to Dana the Palliative Care Nurse; to Dean's mom, brother and sisters, the community of St Ambroise, parishioners of Good Shepherd Roman Catholic Church, members of the Knights of Columbus, Father Eric Giddins and Father Michael Wollbaum for all their love, friendship and prayers; to Dean's Subterrainean family who he missed dearly; and to Peter Mignacca for his words of wisdom and generosity.

Mass of the Christian Burial will take place at Good Shepherd Roman Catholic Church on Friday, April 8, 2011 at 11:00 am with Father Eric Giddins.

In lieu of flowers, as expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Dean's memory to Cancer Care Manitoba Foundation Inc.675 McDermot Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com