John M. Thomas

John M. Thomas, of Chenango Bridge, NY, age 92 died on March 17, 2022. He was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Nancy Ann Thomas and is survived by his children Bill (Susan), Jennie (of Boston), and Caroline (Jeff Jacobs); his grandchildren Henry Thomas and Elizabeth and Evan Jacobs; his sisters-in-law Maida Thomas and Jean Craig; his niece Suzanne Thomas-Sacco; and his grand-niece Marian Sacco (Keagan Cherry). He graduated from Binghamton North and the NY State Ranger School. During the Korean War he served in the Pacific Fleet of the United States Coast Guard from 1951-1954. In coming home from the service, he completed his education and graduated from Syracuse University and Syracuse College of Law in 1958. John practiced law for many years both in Binghamton and the Village of Deposit. In 1984 he was elected as Surrogate Judge of Broome County and served in that capacity for 16 years, during which tenure he was elected as President of the New York State Surrogate Judge’s Association from 1993-1995. In the year 2001 having reached the age of mandatory retirement he returned to the practice of law with the Law Firm of Coughlin & Gerhart as of Council for 14 more years retiring a few days short of being 85 years of age. During his entire life he was an active volunteer in many community, state, and national organizations but the central focus and love of his life was his family. He shared his life-long love of reading (and reciting poetry around the dinner table) and the outdoors with his family: tenting, cross-country skiing, sailing, fishing, and hunting. We want to thank all who cared for John at Lourdes Hospital and especially those at Good Shepherd Fairview Home who provided him and his family care and comfort during his final days. The family will receive friends at the Chase Funeral Home, 737 Chenango Street, Port Dickinson, NY on Friday April 1, from 3-6 p.m. Funeral services will be at Christ Episcopal Church in Binghamton on April 2 at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Children International, Children’s Tumor Foundation, or Dana Farber Cancer Institute and at John’s request do an unexpected act of kindness for a stranger in need.