Friends and family gathered to honor Joseph Thomas, a brave WWII veteran, during a heartfelt funeral service at York Minster
York: Joseph, or Joe as everyone called him, was a true hero. He played a part in liberating France and even received the Légion d’honneur from the French Government. Sadly, he passed away on December 16, leaving behind a loving family.
He was married to Margaret for 58 years until her passing in 2008. Their daughter Patricia, along with her husband Richard and their kids, will surely miss him.
During his funeral at York Minster on January 22, many gathered to pay their respects. The Lord Mayor of York and local council leaders were there to honor his memory before he was laid to rest in Worsley.
Joe grew up in Greater Manchester but moved to York five years ago. He joined the Royal Navy at just 18 and served as a stoker. His bravery during the Marseille landings was remarkable, as it helped divert attention from the Normandy invasion.
He also took part in Operation Shingle at Anzio, which was crucial for liberating Rome. Reverend Eleanor Launders-Brown, who led the service, called him a hero and shared how he quietly served his country.
In her touching sermon, she reminded everyone of the navy tradition of ringing a bell every half hour. As they said goodbye, the Minster bells rang out, marking the end of Joe’s watch.
Richard, his son-in-law, shared fond memories of Joe as a talented sportsman in his youth. He played baseball for Lancashire and even tried out for Oldham Athletic.
After the war, Joe returned home and quickly set about winning Margaret’s heart. He was known for his polished shoes and charming smile, which made courting her a bit easier.
They married in 1950 and welcomed Patricia into their lives. Joe worked as an HGV driver and later trained tanker drivers for Esso. He loved sports, especially football and golf, and was a big Manchester United fan.
Family was everything to Joe. Even in his 90s, he was young at heart. There’s a funny story about him going down a giant slide with one of his great-grandkids, which went viral. He wanted to show that seniors can have fun too!
