Joseph Smith Thomas ’26

Joseph Smith Thomas ’26 died on February 2, 2010, in Portland, Maine.

He was born in West Springfield, Massachusetts, on July 24, 1905, and prepared for college at Quincy (Massachusetts) High School. He was a member of Delta Upsilon fraternity. He went on to earn a master’s degree from Middlebury College in 1928 and a doctorate in chemistry from Harvard University in 1934.

Except for serving two years as an instructor at Middlebury, he spent his career at FMC Corporation (Food Machinery and Chemical Corp.) in New Jersey as a research chemist and manager.

He was a lifelong active member of the Union of Concerned Scientists.

He and his wife retired to Scarborough in 1973 and became active in the First Congregational Church. He enjoyed golf, working on his Sebago Lake cottage, and helping to maintain his sisters’ home in North Gorham.

He was predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Caroline Balmer Thomas, and sisters Doris and Rachel Thomas. He is survived by three daughters, Katharine Corbett, Sarah Turner and Doris Bristol; seven grandchildren; and 15 great- grandchildren.