BRUCE LAIRD THOMAS, beloved husband of Phyllis Thomas, of Lethbridge, passed away peacefully at St. Therese Villa, on Wednesday January 11, 2012 at the age of 96 years. He is the loving father of Sandra (Herb) Curran of Red Deer, AB, Garry (Karen) Thomas of Lethbridge, AB, Lawrence (Sandra) Thomas of Lethbridge, AB, and Beverly (Arnold) Sommerfeld of Wainwright, AB; as well as four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents Samuel and Mary Thomas, his brother Robert and two sisters Doreen and Francis. Bruce was born in Toronto and employed by the Toronto Globe and Mail as a paper boy in his youth. Next he managed a lunch counter on Younge and Bloor. At the commencement of the Second World War Bruce volunteered to enlist in the Canadian Armed Services and was assigned to the Royal Canadian Engineers. He was deployed to the Halifax Naval Yards and later the Aleutian Islands (Alaska). While travelling by train from the Aleutians to Lethbridge he met the love of his life Phyllis Bates. They were married in Lethbridge in 1944. Following their marriage they moved to Toronto for a brief time before returning to the Bates homestead in Kipp. There they raised their four children while Bruce was employed at the No. 8 mine as an electrician. His next career was a firefighter for the Department of National Defence. Later he transferred to the Federal Agricultural Research Centre in Lethbridge where he retired in 1980. He was honoured as a life time member of the Lethbridge Fish and Game Association. He was also a long time member of the Royal Canadian Legion in Coalhurst and Lethbridge. Bruce was an avid outdoorsman and gardener. He was Mr. Fix It for himself and others who needed a helping hand. He will be sadly missed for his sense of humour and helpful, caring personality. A Memorial Service will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, on Monday, January 16, 2012 at 11:30 AM with Reverend Brenda Kersell officiating. A Private Family interment will precede the Memorial Service at Archmount Cemetery. Honoured to serve the family, CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 7B1. Telephone (403) 381-7777. E-mail: care@cornerstonefh.ca