To honor longtime Morgantown Area Business Association (MABA) member Joe Thomas, who passed away on Feb. 21 at the age of 81 after a lengthy illness, a flowering pear tree was dedicated in his honor on Oct. 15 in Morgan Circle Park. Joe's family, MABA members and the public attended the memorial ceremony.
"We planted this tree and dedicate it as a living memory of a great man who was always there to support Morgantown Area Business Association," said MABA president Nora Filmore, who led the ceremony. "May it help us to have Joe live in our hearts forever."
"Dad would have been touched by this," said Joe's daughter Terri, wife of Frank Payne.
In addition to welcoming those in attendance, Filmore provided biographical information about Joe. "Joe was the husband of Roseann Thomas for 63 years," she stated. "Together, they owned A2A Services - Vacs Plus at the intersection of routes 10 and 23 in Morgantown for more than 20 years. A2A Services was an MABA member."
Frank also noted that Joe spent 18 years working at Grace Mines when it was in operation in Morgantown. As a hoistman, Joe was in charge of operating electric hoisting machinery that was used to lower elevators and skips, which are large containers, into and out of the mine from different levels. "He would sit in a little room and he would pull a bunch of levers and operate pedals," Frank explained. "He would somehow know what level the cars were so that he could safely take the men up and down from the (mine) and the material that they dug out."
Filmore also talked about Joe's commitment to MABA. "Joe faithfully attended breakfast meetings, mixers, picnics, expos and holiday dinners beside his wife. Even as Joe's health began failing him, Joe continued to support MABA by attending meetings and showing his support of the organization," Filmore said. "Joe always helped in whatever way he could and favored any motion made to help MABA grow, always thinking of what was best for all the members."
In addition to Terri and Roseann, Joe is survived by his son Joey Thomas Jr., who wore his father's hat to the ceremony. Joe and Roseann have seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Joe's grandson Nick McDermott was in attendance, along with his wife, Laurel, and their three children, Hunter, Mia and Nolan. Joe was predeceased by his daughter Cindy Mertz.
Family members reported that Joe loved his dogs, Teddy Bear and Henry. "You would often see Joe outside the shop or riding in the car with them, along with their other dog, Fifi, which Roseann still has," said Filmore. "Joe had a tender heart and a kind word for all he ran into. He was very emotional and often had tears in his eyes when speaking of his family or pets or Morgantown."
Filmore note that the tree will eventually be labeled with a plaque. "It will be attached to the tree and it will be expandable so that it will grow with the tree," she explained.
The event was held following MABA's regular monthly breakfast meeting. MABA members attended the meeting and traveled directly to the tree dedication.
MABA, which formed in 1984, is a nonprofit organization that supports and promotes business in Morgantown and surrounding communities. MABA also supports municipal law enforcement and emergency response agencies and works with schools and other agencies to promote business education. For more information about MABA, readers may visit http://www.maba-online.com.
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