By Lisa E. CrowleyBrocktonPost
BROCKTON—For more than 50 years as a player, coach and over-all volunteer for Brockton’s city baseball, softball and basketball leagues, George Thomas’ hot-temper and fiery personality has led teams to victory, made things happen as a one-man fundraiser and league official, and on the way has helped other young hot-heads learn the finer parts of a game.
Thomas, 75, was honored Thursday night Jan. 20 during a fundraising event for his decades of service that has not only resulted in helping to lead Brockton youngsters down a positive path, but also the placement of his name on the new baseball field at the Mary E. Baker Elementary School on Quincy Street.
“You don’t do it for a reward. You do it because you have to and want to,” Thomas said to a gathering of more than 200 people at Joe Angelo’s Café after several family members and friends recounted how Thomas taught them how to live life and play sports during a more than 40-year career of volunteerism.
On a lighter note, Thomas joked--as he stood on a stage under blue, red and white stage lights--that he had told his wife Sheila (pictured at right with Thomas who is getting a kiss from daughter Sherrie Rioux) during their 52-year marriage he would someday be in lights and she would sarcastically respond “how the hell are you going to do that,” and it turns out his love of sports, family and friends had found him—to his infinite surprise--under the spotlight.
“This means so much to me. I’m so proud to have a baseball field named after me,” Thomas said, adding, “I’m so thankful I’m here to see it,” he said.
The event was held to honor the field being named for Thomas and to raise money for a new electronic scoreboard at the field, estimated to cost about $10,000.
The night was full of laughter, food, music, and memories of a man who began playing baseball on the diamonds of Brockton as a young boy, as a player for Brockton High School and went on to play fast-pitch softball when was stationed in Korea with the U.S. Army. In 1957, after being discharged, he returned to Brockton and began coaching Little League baseball and youth basketball.
For more than 50 years, Thomas could be found between 6 and 9:30 p.m. either at one of the city’s baseball fields or basketball courts. Thomas now lives in East Bridgewater with wife Sheila, who he said has been behind him all of the way.
“It’s a lucky thing I did in my life 52-years ago when I married her,” Thomas said.
During the event, Ward 2 City Councilor Thomas Monahan gave Thomas—a lifelong family friend—gave Thomas a baseball signed by all of the players from the 1981 men’s adult “A” League Championship team that initiated a decades-long friendly joke between Monahan’s father Thomas “Popeye” Monahan, who died in 2003 and Thomas over $500 and championship jackets for the team.
“He’s like a link between me and my father,” Monahan said. “It meant a lot to me,” he said.
(Monahan is pictured in top photo with Thomas who is tossing the baseball in the air)Not only did Thomas receive the signed baseball, he also was given a proclamation from the State Legislature presented by state Rep. Michael Brady, (pictured at right with microphone) who joined the night's band, "Just Two Guys," on stage for one of the songs, making the duo into a trio, dubbed, "Two Guys and a state Rep." by one audience member.
One of Thomas’ numerous grandchildren, 19-year-old Alicia Thomas, who lives in Enfield, Connecticut, said she is close to both her grandparents and is honored to be able to join her aunts and uncles--Thomas has four children: Michael, Thomas, Sherrie Rioux and Debbie Thomas-- cousins and family friends in honoring a guy who has stayed young at heart and will always be remembered by generations to come.
“If I’m a having a bad day my Granddad always makes me smile,” Alicia Thomas said. (Pictured below in back row with a handful of Thomas’ grandchildren)
Laura Galligan, who is a family friend in many ways, said she knows a side of Thomas that isn’t as well known as his coaching and volunteerism in Brockton sports.
Galligan said as an elector at Christ the King Church, a Catholic Church in Brockton, Thomas has reached out to the community in more ways than they know.
“He is a very spiritual man—very humble, kind passionate and caring,” Galligan said.
Thomas said when he was a teenager playing in the city’s basketball league an opposing player fouled him hard and the referee didn’t call a foul.
Thomas said he went after the ref and after pushing him, the referee “went flying” and the man sprained his ankle.
Thomas said not only was he suspended for the rest of the year, he learned that he needed to control his temper and learn another part of the game.
“We’re not only teaching baseball, but also teaching what life’s all about. You’ve got to teach sportsmanship,” Thomas said.
