Stephen M. Thomas

Peterborough, NH Stephen M. Thomas, 83, of Peterborough, died on August 6, 2015 at Catholic Medical Center in Manchester after a period of failing health. Stephen was born in Connecticut on July 30, 1932 the son of Harold B. Thomas and Marion (Lane) Thomas. Stephen grew up in Norwalk, CT. He lived in Great Falls, VA before moving to Peterborough in 1982. He graduated from Harvard in 1954 and after his military service went on to graduate studies at Columbia University, specializing in the history of Central Europe. He spoke Russian, Czech, French and German fluently but for most of his life he worked in politics, serving as director of the Council for a Livable World. Upon retiring he returned to his love of history, and shortly before his death finished writing a book soon to be published about ethnic conflict in Czechoslovakia after World War I. He enjoyed music, politics and languages. Stephen is survived by his loving wife of almost 60 years, Elizabeth (Marshall) Thomas of Peterborough, his brother, Peter Thomas of Dublin, and his sister, Nancy Adams of Carlsbad, CA, also his daughter, Stephanie Thomas and her husband Robert Kafka of Austin, TX and his son, Saibhung Singh Khalsa and his wife Saibhung Khaur Khalsa of Peterborough. Stephen will also be missed by his six grandchildren and his great grandson, as well as his nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Stephen's name to the Marlboro School of Music in Brattleboro, Vermont. Mail Donations before August 15th to, PO Box K, Marlboro, VT 05344, after August 15th to, 1528 Walnut Street Suite 301, Philadelphia, PA 19102. A "Celebration of Life" will be held in his honor on Saturday August 15 at 2:00 PM at his son's home at 67 East Mountain Road in Peterborougha€"nothing formal, just a gathering.

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