Paul Joseph Thomas

Paul Joseph Thomas, age 84 of Coon Rapids, MN, passed away on 2/26/2024 following a long journey with Alzheimer's disease. Survived by wife of 61 years, Helen; children, Joseph (Brenda), Jane, Theodor (Anissa), and Kathleen; grandchildren, Andrew (Kathryn), Brian (Nicole), Daniel, Victoria (William) Wigley, Connor, Mark, Abigail, Faith, Nikki, and Anna; great-grandchildren, Theodore and Kaia Thomas, and Bryson Burks; siblings, Barbara Schaffhausen, John (Connie), and Richard (Teena Moy); many brothers-and-sisters-in-law; nieces, nephews, and cousins. Preceded in death by parents, Theodor and Winifred; son, Alfred James; brothers, Lawrence and Theodor; and many in-laws. Born in St. Paul, MN, Paul attended Nativity Catholic School and Cretin High School ('57). He earned a bachelor's degree in Chemistry from St. Mary's College ('61) in Winona, MN and a PhD in Chemistry from University ('66). Paul met Helen, an elementary education student at the College of St. Theresa in the spring of 1960. They were married in June 1962 in Fairmont, MN. After short stints in Madison, WI and Peoria, IL, Paul took a job in biomedical research at the Mayo Clinic, where he worked for 27 years. Together, he and Helen built a life in Rochester, MN where they raised four children. Paul was an avid woodworker, all-around handyman, traveler, lover of the outdoors, and natural engineer. He sang tenor in the Rochester Symphony Chorale and church choir, and he and Helen owned their own business for a few years, the Bicycle Doctor. In retirement, Paul and Helen enjoyed traveling the US, Canada, Mexico, and overseas. Paul was a generous and kind man. He enjoyed helping others fix and improve their homes, design creative solutions to mechanical problems, and reach their personal goals. Paul was a consummate family man. He rarely worked in the evenings or on weekends to prioritize time with his wife and children, including trips to State Parks, visits to the family cabin on Martin Lake, and picnics and holidays with parents, in-laws, siblings, and cousins. Parenting and grandparenting brought great joy to his life. His intellect, mechanical skills, humor, acceptance, generosity, and compassion for others will be sorely missed by all who knew him. Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday March 9, 2024 at 11 AM with visitation at 10 AM at the Church of St. Timothy, 707 89th Ave. NE, Blaine. Inurnment Epiphany Catholic Cemetery. Memorials preferred to donor's choice.

Tributes

Paul Joseph Thomas

June 3, 1939 - February 26, 2024

Tributes

Paul Joseph Thomas

June 3, 1939 - February 26, 2024

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