Harold Thomas

Harold D. Thomas came into this world to the late Edwin Thomas and Naomi Palmer on September 1, 1924, in the Republic of Panama. His parents were immigrants from Barbados. He was the fifth of six children who grew up in Rainbow City of the former Canal Zone in the Republic of Panama.

Harold and his siblings supported by two loving parents lived a strong, God-filled spiritual life from an early age. Harold loved God and was blessed and favored throughout his life. He took time for daily devotion up to the day he passed. In his journal, Harold thanked God daily for his family and grandchildren. He was the spiritual leader of his family and was well-versed in the scriptures. He placed God first in his life and showed compassion and advocacy to the poor and needy. Harold instilled a love for God to his children and grandchildren. He volunteered at every church he joined and enjoyed filling in as a lay preacher. He was humbled and instilled the value of hard work, integrity, and the virtue of a good work ethic. At every opportunity and at every family event Harold and Cecilia were surrounded by their daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren: Sevi, Gianni, Christian, Brielle, and Sebastian.

For 32 years, he worked as an Ammunition Supply Technician for the U.S Military. He was held in high regard by the service men, and they saw him as a mentor, counsel, and friend. During his time working for the military, he had the opportunity to travel to the Galapagos Islands and other parts of South America. He told countless stories of his experiences in the military and made sure to emphasize the lessons he learned that improved his character as a man. He retired from the military in 1981.

Harold met Cecilia through her cousin Una Jesse. They danced at a party and their romance blossomed. They had a long-distance relationship between Panama City and Colon for several months until they wed on May 11, 1962. They had five lovely daughters: Tania, Giovana, Liza, Idania, and Kristal.

In 1981, Harold immigrated to the United States to join his beloved wife, Cecilia and his daughters who had immigrated a year prior and settled in Queens, New York. Harold and Cecilia bought a house and moved the family to Uniondale, New York. While in the US, Harold worked 3 years as a bookkeeper at an automotive company and 9 years as a teaching assistant for the United Cerebral Palsy Organization before retiring for a second time.

Harold and Cecilia moved to Fort Washington, Maryland and lived there for 7 years until they moved to Florida and settled in Port Saint Lucie taking with them their faithful friend Bernice Reid. In Port Saint Lucie, Harold and Cecilia were blessed with caring and loving neighbors and they developed a tight-knit community. Harold enjoyed his retirement to the fullest often traveling, spending hours working on the lawn, attending parties and events locally and in Orlando where they amassed a large group of friends including Bishop Gilberto E Edwards (Pastor Eddie) and his late wife Sandy. Harold and Cecilia traveled to Spain, Mexico, Barbados, Dominican Republic, and Cuba.

Harold was a baseball enthusiast, always rooting for the Yankees and was happy when a baseball or football game was on TV. For his 90th birthday, a special celebration was arranged where he was able to throw out the first pitch at the Mets training camp in Port Saint Lucie. He was so elated and often spoke of his happiness on that day. Harold was an avid reader and read several books a month. He could always be found on the deck or porch of his children’s home reading a book or completing a crossword puzzle with a glass of wine or a cocktail. He was a great cook like his father and was the family baker, often baking cakes and pies for the holidays until those duties were passed down to his daughters. He enjoyed walking in the neighborhood, often bragging of his ability to walk a mile at 98 years of age. When he visited his daughters, he enjoyed walks in the park with the dogs.

Mr. Harold D Thomas was called by the good Lord on Tuesday, December 6, 2022. He was preceded in death by his parents Edwin Thomas and Naomi Palmer, his wife Cecilia Thomas, his siblings: Franklyn “Frankie” Thomas, Winston “Bunny” Thomas, Percival “Percy” Thomas, Olive “Auntie” Glen and Dorothy “Dotto” Thomas, his nephew Winston Thomas, Rodriguez “Roddy” Glen, and Raymond “Sonna” Thomas.
He is survived by his daughters; Tania Thomas-Presswood, Giovana Thomas-Smith, Liza Ford, Idania Thomas, and Kristal Thomas; by his sons-in-law, Severio Ford, Donald Presswood and Damone Smith; by his grandchildren, Sevi Ford, Gianni Ford, Christian Smith, Brielle Presswood and Sebastian Smith; by his nieces and nephews: Hubert Thomas, Gilma Molinar, Jacqueline Wilson, Cassandra Rivera, Sonia Alvey, Ricardo Glen, Reynaldo Glen, Teresa Redway, Rolando Thomas and countless great nieces and nephews, brothers-in-law and friends.

The family wishes to acknowledge with deep appreciation the following individuals: Chris Scott, Sabrina Blandford, Bishop Gilberto E. Edwards Sr., Jacqueline Wilson, treasured neighbors, and countless friends too long a list to encompass here. Thank you for providing comforting prayers, messages, and other expressions of kindness during this difficult time. May God continue to Bless you.

A Visitation will be held on Monday, December 19, 2022, from 10 am to 11:30AM with a service to start at 11:30Am with further fellowship available until 2 pm at Haisley Funeral Home and Cremation Service's Tribute Center 2041 Southwest Bayshore Blvd. Port Saint Lucie, FL 34984.