Stanley Everard Thomas

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 584, 2 May 1995, Page 8

Stanley Everard Thomas

Stan Thomas, who died recently, was a 'Kune man', born on Rangataua Road nearly 83 years ago. One of five surviving children born to an Australian couple, Thomas James Thomas and Isabel Haig. Stan was educated and lived in Raetihi until the family moved to Ohakune where they lived in a house adjacent to Maungarongo Marae. It was during that time that lifelong friendships were forged with the Mareikura and Akapita families. Like most young people of the depression era he held various jobs such as delivery boy for the butcher shop, and cook for various shearing gangs where he learned skills that would lead later to a career in catering and baking. After a period of working in Curran's Bakery, Thomas' Bakery was formed in partnership with his brother Colin and Laurie Nation were he became famous for his pies. After his withdrawal from the partnership he joined the telephone exchange where he worked until his retirement. His duties as toll operator/night clerk, included among others: wake-up calls, pioneer club books and fund-raising activities for every type of community project. He received a telegram of commendation for his efforts at the time of the Tangiwai disaster from the Governor General. Stan was a great natural athlete. He was a King Gountry hockey rep, rugby player, international rugby referee, brilliant snooker player, excellent tennis player and he played many national tennis stars. He loved bowls and as well as numerous centre titles, he was third in the 1958 national singles bowling championships. The family bowls team was an excellent combination and with his father and two brothers he won many a competition. He played cricket, was a good rollerskater and was an avid and formidable card-player. In fact the'only sports he didn' t excel in were water-sports (probably because the rivers in the area were too cold). The Thomas boys had a band, which included Nana Thomas on the violin. Stan played the drums and he continued a lifelong pleasure in music, singing and whistling. One of his favourite tunes 'Peggy O'Neil' was played at his funeral service. Love of hockey led him to the introduction to Puss Luoni, his bride, They were married in 1934 and had three children who were also fiaised in Ohakune. Stan's great capacity for hard work and his dedication to the town saw him serve in the fire brigade for 15 years and he was

invested with the honorary title of 'Sir Stanley of the Baths' for his efforts in raising money for the Ohakune swimming baths. For many years he was secretary of the Pioneer Club and in this capacity organised many outings and picnics for the member's children, such as one which saw 26 buses headed for the lake. Local people will remember his service to rugby, as player coach and referee over many years, and his unstinting support of the Ohakune Rugby Club right up until the time of his death. Stan and Puss made a great team, they catered for many functions at the Pioneer Club. They supported every school gala by making hundreds of toffee apples, and toffees on sticks, which remain legendary. He loved and admired his wife, and delighted in his family, nephews and nieces, his grandchildren, his adopted grandchildren and his great grandchild. He was a 'people person' and what he liked best, especially in later years after Puss died, was to watch the people of his town at work or play. He was so proud of the football teams, the men' s and women' s bowls teams and the girls netball team. He was proud of the way the town had grown, delighting as the chalets, motels and tourists came rolling in. The family would like to thank the many people of Ohakune who returned his love by caring for him by bringing his mail, flinging off a paper, mowing lawns, digging gardens or bringing veges and wood and taking the time to stop and have a word as he did his rounds of Ohakune. This obituary was written collectively by Stan Thomas' family.