Obituary
ELKHART — Bruce E. "Big Guy" Thomas, 43, of Elkhart, passed away at Elkhart General Hospital at 11:29 a.m. Monday, March 23, after a brief but courageous battle with cancer.
He was born Jan. 8, 1972, in Euclid, Ohio, to Mrs. Patricia M. (Sam) Geddes Thomas Alacqua of Cleveland, Ohio, and the late Rodney Thomas.
He later married Mary Kathleen "Kathy" (Archer) on Nov. 27, 2010, in Elkhart. She survives at home.
Also surviving are four sons, Ryan (Amber) and Jason (Lindsay) Gour, both of Elkhart, and Andrew (Shari Beth) and Adam Thomas, both of Jackson, Ohio; three daughters, Shannon (Andy Nalepinski) Gour of Osceola, Ashley (Chris) Franklin of Jackson and Britnee Norris at home; three grandchildren, Addyson, Lilly, Annabelle, and a grandson who is on the way; five sisters, Tracyle (Scott) Emick of Euclid, Ohio, Anna (Greg) Hedrick of Canyon Lake, Calif., Kim Thomas of Sandusky, Ohio, Yvonne (Mikal) Daniels of Sun City, Calif., and Patricia (Richard) Walton of Buena Park, Calif.; and four brothers, Sammy Alacqua of Lake Elsinore, Calif., Chris Thomas of Rock Creek, Ohio, Phil (Brittany) Thomas of North Olmstead, Ohio and Ray Thomas of Elkhart.
A grandson, Brody T. Gour, preceded him in death.
The Big Guy's life celebration will begin with a viewing at Billings Funeral Home of Elkhart from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, March 30, where services will follow at 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 31, with a visitation beginning at 2 p.m. Father Terry Coonan of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Granger will officiate. Although Bruce's wish was to be cremated following his services, a memorial motorcycle ride in his honor will take place prior, leaving Billings Funeral Home at 4 p.m. Tuesday with an estimated return time of 5 p.m.
Needless to say, the Big Guy was an avid Harley Davidson motorcycle enthusiast who was best known as a hard-working and devoted husband, loving uncle and family man. He was a truck driver for Herb's Towing in South Bend at the time of his illness. He had a knack at being "handy" and loved to build and repair things. Also considered a "Gentle Giant," Bruce loved to spend time with all of his grandchildren, who affectionately knew him as "Big Paw Paw." He was very pro-Second Amendment and enjoyed fishing, golfing and being outdoors.
Memorial donation may be given to the American Parkinson Disease Association. Online condolences can reach the family at www.billingsfuneralhome.com.
He was born Jan. 8, 1972, in Euclid, Ohio, to Mrs. Patricia M. (Sam) Geddes Thomas Alacqua of Cleveland, Ohio, and the late Rodney Thomas.
He later married Mary Kathleen "Kathy" (Archer) on Nov. 27, 2010, in Elkhart. She survives at home.
Also surviving are four sons, Ryan (Amber) and Jason (Lindsay) Gour, both of Elkhart, and Andrew (Shari Beth) and Adam Thomas, both of Jackson, Ohio; three daughters, Shannon (Andy Nalepinski) Gour of Osceola, Ashley (Chris) Franklin of Jackson and Britnee Norris at home; three grandchildren, Addyson, Lilly, Annabelle, and a grandson who is on the way; five sisters, Tracyle (Scott) Emick of Euclid, Ohio, Anna (Greg) Hedrick of Canyon Lake, Calif., Kim Thomas of Sandusky, Ohio, Yvonne (Mikal) Daniels of Sun City, Calif., and Patricia (Richard) Walton of Buena Park, Calif.; and four brothers, Sammy Alacqua of Lake Elsinore, Calif., Chris Thomas of Rock Creek, Ohio, Phil (Brittany) Thomas of North Olmstead, Ohio and Ray Thomas of Elkhart.
A grandson, Brody T. Gour, preceded him in death.
The Big Guy's life celebration will begin with a viewing at Billings Funeral Home of Elkhart from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, March 30, where services will follow at 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 31, with a visitation beginning at 2 p.m. Father Terry Coonan of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Granger will officiate. Although Bruce's wish was to be cremated following his services, a memorial motorcycle ride in his honor will take place prior, leaving Billings Funeral Home at 4 p.m. Tuesday with an estimated return time of 5 p.m.
Needless to say, the Big Guy was an avid Harley Davidson motorcycle enthusiast who was best known as a hard-working and devoted husband, loving uncle and family man. He was a truck driver for Herb's Towing in South Bend at the time of his illness. He had a knack at being "handy" and loved to build and repair things. Also considered a "Gentle Giant," Bruce loved to spend time with all of his grandchildren, who affectionately knew him as "Big Paw Paw." He was very pro-Second Amendment and enjoyed fishing, golfing and being outdoors.
Memorial donation may be given to the American Parkinson Disease Association. Online condolences can reach the family at www.billingsfuneralhome.com.
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