Joseph J. Thomas Joseph J. Thomas , 78, of East Bridgewater, passed away Thursday, February 24, 2011 at the Braemoor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Brockton surrounded by his family. He was the loving husband of Ann (Petersen) Thomas for 54 years. Born May 10, 1932 in Brockton, he was the son of the late George Thomas and Annie (Malik) Thomas. Joe lived most of his life in Brockton and was a graduate of Brockton High School in 1950. Joe started his career in retail at an early age and progressed to management positions for many discount stores including, Coats Field in Brockton, King's Department Store, Mammoth Mart, and as a District Manager for Marshalls. For some time he owned his own retail clothing business in Wareham, MA known as Joe-Anns. In recent years, Joe worked for the Brockton Board of Health as a Health Inspector in the City until his retirement in 2006. Joe was devoted to his family and loved family gatherings. He was an avid bowler, a fan of baseball and football, and was always ready for a game of cards, especially poker. Joe was an active participant with St. Theresa Maronite Catholic Church in Brockton and enjoyed volunteering at all church activities. He will be deeply missed by family and friends. Joe was the loving husband of Ann (Petersen) Thomas; devoted father of Cheryl Thomas of Brockton, Mark Thomas and his wife Brenda of Halifax, Susan Toohey and her husband Edmund of Westport, Glenn Thomas and his wife Joni of Brockton, Stephen Thomas and Laurie Jordan and her husband Joel of Marshfield; loving grandfather of Michael and Ashley McGrath, Lauren and Daniel Toohey, Kristen, Matthew and Andrew Thomas and Jenna and Keara Jordan; he leaves his brothers and sisters, Alfred Thomas of Bridgewater, George Thomas of East Bridgewater, Nellie Asack of North Falmouth and Marion Martelli of Bridgewater; he is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Joe was the father of the late Joseph J. Thomas , Jr. and the brother of the late Saad, John, and Michael Thomas and Lillian Robishaw. Funeral Information Funeral from the Russell Pica Funeral Home, 165 Belmont St., (Rt123) Brockton on Monday, Febraury 28th at 9:00AM followed by Services of the Divine Liturgy in St. Theresa Maronite Catholic Church, 343 North Main St., Brockton at 10:00AM. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Brockton. Calling hours in the Russell Pica Funeral Home Sunday 3:00-7:00PM with Incense Service at 6:30PM.