Obituary of Elmer L. Thomas

Albany - Elmer Leroy ("Lee") Thomas of Albany, New York, passed away peacefully at the Albany VA Hospital on Wednesday, June 19th, 2013 at the age of 92. Beloved husband of 62 years to Helen ("Lyn") Coccia Thomas; father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife, sons Jeff (NYC) and Tim (Albuquerque, NM), daughter-in-law Christine Dembiec Thomas, and granddaughters Megan (12) and Allyson (10). He was preceded in death by his younger brother George, and is survived by other relatives, friends and professional colleagues. Lee was a proud veteran of WWII, serving as a Navy radioman in the North Pacific. After the War and the completion of a marketing degree at the University of Connecticut, he returned to his true passion, pursuing a career as a professional singer-songwriter and guitar player and teacher, performing regularly in the greater Albany region, including appearances at Catskill Mountain resorts. He often performed together with his wife as the team of "Lee and Lyn", in recent years also appearing pro bono with other musical colleagues at area nursing homes. Visitation will be Tuesday June 25th from 4 to 8 PM at the Reilly & Son Funeral Home, Colonie. Funeral 9:30 Wednesday morning from the funeral home and at 10:30 at Christ the King Church, 20 Sumpter Ave., Guilderland. Interment will be at 2:00 p.m. at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Cemetery in Saratoga. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either MusiCares, a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need (www.grammy.org/musicares) or the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org).