Born to Pauline and Spurgeon Thomas on December 18, 1934, in York PA, Rod was the third of four sons: Spurgeon Jr (Tom), Rod, Donald (DR) and Jim.
Rod grew up in very humble surroundings and worked a variety of odd jobs as a young man but had bigger dreams than what his hometown had to offer. After marrying Linda Collins in 1960, the couple moved to Madison, CT where they raised their sons Ben, David and Andrew.
Rod loved to instruct and taught at Island Ave, Copse Road, High Hill elementary schools. He was known for his spirited and unconventional teaching style. During decades of summers he painted what probably amounted to several hundred Madison homes. For many years he owned Tuxis Laundromat and dabbled in real estate with dear friend and recently deceased Bob Marchant.
Rod and Linda divorced in 1976 and Rod continued to teach and paint. He married Laurie Humphries in 1984 and often said “every day with Laurie was like Christmas.” They traveled many times to Europe, had zany and improbable adventures and brought back prized art pieces. Laurie passed away after a brief fight with cancer in 2019. Rod’s heart was never the same after that.
Rod was an absolutely larger-than-life character and a complex man: cranky and charming, gruff and sweet, intolerant and philosophical, vibrant and opinionated, impulsive and thoughtful, loving and aloof. He voraciously read WWII history, loved fine art, travel, tinkering, building, home decor, skiing, and just plain adventuring. He loved the home he and Laurie built and often said he lived in the best place in town. By example he inspired his sons on the importance of living vital and authentic lives.
Rod leaves behind his pre-deceased wife Laurie, three sons Ben, David and Andrew, daughter-in-law Julie, brother Jim and sister-in-law Gail, sister-in-law Amy and sister/brother-in-laws Theresa and Roger, former wife Linda, sister-in-law Ginni, grandchildren Lela, Finley, Cody, Hailey, and Electra, great grandson Ezran, many nieces and nephews, his beloved Corgi Bond and many friends, acquaintances, former students and customers.
The family wishes to thank all the wonderful medical support Rod received the last few months of his life. With his health quickly declining, we believe Rod saw the inevitable, didn’t want to suffer and made peace with leaving us. Rod’s son Andrew keep a close eye on him the last few years and thankfully was holding his hand as he slipped into his final rest.
A celebration of life will be held later this year.
We miss you dad. The world now has become a bit less colorful without you.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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