Obituary of Dr. Lewis C. Thomas

Dr. Lewis Clayton Thomas, Jr., age 87, died on Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Paterson. He was born and raised in Kingston, PA and had lived in North Plainfield since 1952. Dr. Thomas served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was at the Invasion of Normandy during the first day where he earned a Bronze Star. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering from Cornell University, a Master's Degree from the Newark College of Engineering and his PhD in Astronomy from Brentwick University in London, England. Dr. Thomas was a Professor at the Union County College and also was a lecturer at the Hayden Planetarium in NYC. He also had a 39 year career at Bell Laboratories including working on the Telestar Project. He was a former councilman in North Plainfield in the late 60's, was a member of Wilson Memorial Church in Watchung and was a founding member of the Amateur Astronomers, Incorporated at Union County College. Dr. Thomas is survived by his wife, Jean Bartle Thomas; his sons, Bart Thomas, James C. Thomas and his wife, Christy and Dwight N. Thomas and his wife, Nanette; his brother, John Thomas and his grandchildren, Summer, Ryan, Jamie, Courtney, Bridget and Dwight Luke. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 28th at 10:00 a.m. at Wilson Memorial Church, 7 Valley Road, Watchung followed by interment at Hillside Cemetery, Scotch Plains. Visitation will be on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Higgins Home for Funerals, 752 Mountain Blvd.,Watchung.