Thomas Richard Cain, SR

Born in Los Angeles, California, Thomas was a California native, raised in Hawaiian Gardens. His parents had 10 children making the Cain family big with many aunts, uncles and other family members.

In grade school, he went to Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School, he paid for his education by doing odd jobs, washing windows, and other jobs called Cain’s Custom Cleaning. He then went to Artesia High School. Thomas also attended Cerritos College, Santa Ana College, and Long Beach City College, and later American Career College for insurance credentials.

MILITARY LIFE -- At 17, Thomas joined the United States Navy, finished basic training, and shipped out on a minesweeper, a military boat detecting mines in the water to blow them up, also on an (LST) Landing Ship Tank, moving military equipment to shore. He was a cook visiting all the ports along the way. He sometimes cooked American food for the locals, and later enjoying the c-rations on USS Esteem (AISO-438) FPO in San Francisco. He received an honorable discharged and was ranked MS2 at USNRR where he spent several months with the Construction Battalion (CB’s) at Camp Pendleton building bridges and structures that are still standing today. He then went on to spend 3 years with the US Marines.

Thomas enlisted with the Air Force Reserve at Norton Air Force Base in San Bernardino, CA as Vehicle Maintenance until Norton closed then moved to March Air Force Base in Riverside, CA. Most of his group disbanded the 37 MAPS when Dessert Storm had just begun. His rank was Tech Sargent E5, which was retrieval of vehicles dropped from airplanes or cargo and driving various equipment and fixing them. In 1988, he retired with approximately 25 years of military service under his belt.

He worked at Douglas Aircraft, and was a welder and fitter in Georgia, Todd Shipyards in San Pedro. Kaiser Steel in Fontana, The Fab Shop before the big shut down in June 1983. He even worked at a funeral home selling plots, and funeral service policies. A fire in a mobile home had kick-started his time in the insurance industry. Thomas had a setback medically. He passed several kidney stones, had surgery, and started the Life Insurance process so he could recoup on his own time at home while also being able to work at his own pace. In 1982, started with AMERICAN NATIONAL INSURANCE collecting the Debit (going door to door for .05, .10, or .25 cents for policies & sales). Over the years he ventured into other products, personal lines, Auto, Home, Health, Annuities, Umbrella Policies, etc., Commercial Business and Group/Individual, College Plans, Long Term Care, Financial Planner, and proud Series 6 with Securities, and was an E-Filer for the IRS. This busy office was in the same place for decades always helping at Cain’s Insurance Services in Fontana Inland Empire. Was also a Public Notary since 1996, 26 years.

Thomas was an enterprising man. He ran for Mayor in Hawaiian Gardens in 1976 and almost won.

Ordained a Priest, in 1994 he did/said Masses at a little church in Colton, local Weddings, Baptisms, Communion, Funerals, and Quinceaneras. He then studied more, and became a Bishop and had many associates and others, helping the homeless, down & out, counseling all over the local community from Mission of St. Francis Old Catholic Church in Fontana. He was always available at any time to help you, talk, or listen, whatever that was need was, setting up help and set up several programs.

Proud to have done medical research, the pictures for the medical history books, blind studies, testing, and pure torture for UCLA at the CURE Clinic doing ulcer research for finding the bacteria/bug that effects the stomach and esophagus for the medical study of Campylobacter h- pyloritis or peptic ulcers to new drugs to help resolve the pain and suffering, yes stress can make it worse. Also a very regular blood donor and several kidney studies, and diets studies.

Over the years, he has served on many boards – Merrill Community Services, Fontana Chamber of Commerce Ambassador 2007. Also garnered recognition by the County Supervisors for California, California Legislator and received A Certificate of Recognition 2007 and 2017 Navy. US Marine Corp. Also President Bush acknowledged for the service in USAF. Thomas was a member of several organizations: Proud member of American Legion and Veteran of Foreign Wars Navy and US Marine Corps. And just way too many more to list.

Some of his proud accomplishments include the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) – Century Club, with American National Insurance. He gave many speeches, and received a plethora of awards for Insurance. Thomas also taught at Chaffey College and gave free seminars on Trusts and Wills, and others topics.

Some of his hobbies included: dressing up as Santa Claus, joking around with his grandchildren, taking care of farm animals (pigs, ducks, rabbits & others etc.), gardening, planting our own fruits and vegetables, passing out what we didn’t use, cooking, traveling the world (especially on cruises that he received for winning the company goals. Thomas enjoyed square dancing, Lines and Round Dancing, in a new class in Grand Terrace he met Barbara, later married.

He was proud to participate in the Fontana parades by square dancing on a float going down the Boulevard. Thomas traveled to many places and meeting fun people around the world, Cuers and Callers for conventions, workshops, and just plain fun. Square Dancing is friendly people exercising to music. See you in a square! or SQUARE-UP! Better yet - STACK THE WOOD!

Thomas is survived by his wife Barbara, son Thomas; his daughters Michelle and Candy; his step-son Chad; and step-daughter Kristen; his sister Patricia, Susan, and Theresa and his youngest brother Charles.

Thomas was preceded in death by his father Joseph Michael and his mother Marjorie, brother Joseph Michael; Edward; himself Thomas; his sister’s Marjorie; Mary Evelyn; and Ramona.

Thomas leaves behind 20 Grandchildren, 24 Great Grandchildren, and two Great-Great Grandchildren, and more on the way this year and next.

Thomas will be laid to rest in Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Boulevard, Riverside, California 92518.

In lieu of flowers – Please plant a Tree or plant to help the planet.

Or Donations: to American Heart Association, Breast Cancer Research, or USO-Ontario, CA branch. There are many needs out there – be kind to one another. GODSPEED.