Avalon S. Thomas, 81 of Franklin passed away peacefully at 11:45 P.M. Monday, August 28, 2017, at UPMC Northwest in Seneca surrounded by his family and went home to be with his Lord Jesus Christ.

Born in Hants Harbour, Newfoundland, Canada on February 28, 1936, he was the son of the late Ruben and Heartie Gooby Thomas.

On November 28, 1959, he married the former Nancy L. Smalley and they celebrated 58 years of marriage together. From 1959 – 1963 they lived in Toronto, Canada until moving back to Franklin in 1963. He started working at Johns Manville as a machine operator and retired 38 years later from JM Manufacturing in 2001 as plant superintendent. During his career at JM Manufacturing, he traveled to many plants around the country and internationally including Taiwan.

He proudly served in the Canadian Air Force.

Avalon enjoyed spending time with his family and cherished them dearly especially his wife and best friend Nancy. He was blessed with church friends and lifelong friends from JM. He enjoyed sports and mostly the game he played since he was a child, Hockey.

Avalon and Nancy were long time members of the Grace United Methodist Church in Rocky Grove. For several years they enjoyed wintering in Tarpon Springs, FL.

Surviving are four children; David Thomas and his wife Cheryl of Guys Mills, Terry Thomas and his wife Tammy of Franklin, Kim Simons and her husband Steve of Franklin and Duane Thomas of Franklin; six grandchildren, Rachael Hasson and her husband Jake, Michael Thomas and friend Brittany Saeli, Kayla Simons and friend David Perrett, Cole Simons, Lisah Cervone and Drew Cervone and his wife Alynn; four great-grandchildren, Gracie Cervone, Sophie Baker, Wyatt Perrett, and Evelyn Hasson. Also surviving is a brother in law James Smalley and his wife Carol and a sister-in-law, Pat Smalley and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a step brother; Wilfred Thomas and a step sister, Mildred Loder.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Huff Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc., 312 W. Park St. Franklin where family and friends are welcome from 12:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M. Saturday

A funeral service will be held at 2:30 P.M. Saturday in the funeral home chapel with Rev. David Janz, Pastor of Christ United Methodist Church, officiating.

Interment will follow at Lamey Cemetery.

Online condolences and flowers may be sent to the family by visiting www.HuffFuneral.com.