Family begins memorial Gary ‘Gip’ Thomas Scholarship Fund

Ann Thomas and her family began the Gary “Gip” Thomas Scholarship Fund at Foxcroft Academy to honor her late husband. FA meant the world to Gary, and she thought it would be a wonderful tribute to his memory to set up a scholarship in his name. 

Gary’s childhood nicknames of “Gip,” “Gippy,” or “Gipper” stayed with him for the rest of his life. During his teenage years at the Academy, Gary mainly lived on his own. His world revolved around school, sports, and work. He was a good athlete and earned varsity letters in four sports in all four years, and it was during that time that he established a standard of living and work ethic that carried through the rest of his life. He was offered a college football scholarship at graduation but joined the U.S. Army instead. While on his tour of duty in England, Gary became a medic which sparked his interest in the health field. He was honorably discharged and relocated to Massachusetts, where he was hired as an attendant at the Northampton State Hospital. 

While working at that hospital full-time, he attended classes and became an LPN and then an R.N., all while raising two teenage daughters after the death of his wife. Gary worked at that hospital for 34 years until it closed in 1992, where he had been a nursing supervisor. He worked at two other Massachusetts state hospitals for the next four years, retiring in 1996. Along the way, Gary’s compassion, empathy, and calm demeanor made him a great advocate for the patients he served. He received excellent performance reviews and certificates and earned the respect and friendship of the staff and people around him. 

Gary was a strong, wise, and calm man with a good sense of humor. He was a good man, a wonderful father, and husband, and you were lucky if you were his friend. The recipient of this first year’s award of $1000 was Emma Ladd, daughter of Rick ’90 and Martha Ladd. Emma will be attending Central Maine Community College and majoring in nursing. The family hopes that Emma will develop Gary’s strong work ethic and determination.