FRIDAY 20TH JANUARY 2023 COMMENCING AT 11.00 A.M.
| Leave a Condolence |
Share this page  
|
Ian Herbert Thomas
09/10/1934 – 11/01/2023
Loved husband of Dorothy.
Incredible father to Kerrie, Helen and Paul
and father-in-law to Greg and Sarah.
Adored and loved Pa of Tom, Ben, Kate, Hannah,
Simon, Will and Ollie and partners Bree, Alice,
Sammy, Callum, Sienna and Sophie.
Ian devoted his life to his family, his garden,
the community and the newspaper industry.
We all love and miss you already.
A Service to Celebrate
the Life of Ian Thomas OAM
will be held at the Cardinia Cultural Centre,
Corner Waterford Rise and Lakeside Boulevard,
Pakenham in the Lakeview Room on
Friday 20th January 2023
commencing at 11:00 a.m.
Refreshments to follow.
A private burial will be
held later in the day.
Should you wish to send your personal condolences
to the family, please leave a message on the
“Leave a condolence” link located on this page.
A truly great man who contributed so so much to his local community. My late wife June had the privilege of working with the Thomas family during the 70’s at the Pakenham Gazette. I also had the privilege of being in the Scouting movement when Ian was Scout leader at Pakenham. My deepest sympathies to Dorothy and family on your sad loss.
To Dorothy, Kerry, Helen, Paul and families. condolences to you all at this said time♥️. Uncle Ian was a lovely man. He will always be remembered for always asking about what was happening in your life. He always showed genuine interest. Love to you all Karen and Gary Robinson
My heart breaks as heaven gains a beautiful soul – one of life’s true gentlemen who has always had, and always will have, a very special place in my heart. Ian, you taught me so much not just about newspapers but apart life in general. Together with beautiful Dot, you both treated me like one of your own and for that I was so very blessed. I will forever treasure all the special times spent, the laughs shared, the wisdom given …you both took me on as a raw 17 year-old cadet fresh out of high school and showed me so much and taught me even more over so many years. My heartfelt sympathy and much love to Dot, Paul, Kerry, Helen and families at this very sad time – jodie, Mitch and Luke xxxx
So sad on the loss of my dear Uncle Ian. I have known, loved and respected you for as long as l can remember.
To my darling Aunty Dot and Kerrie, Helen, Paul and families l send my heartfelt love and thoughts to you all on your huge loss.
Love from your little flower girl.
Sending all our love to Aunty Dot, Kerrie, Helen, Paul and family at this very sad time. Uncle Ian will always be remembered for his kind nature, great laugh and his big beautiful smile. May all the special memories you have with him, help you through this hard time. Thinking of you all with lots of love,
Taryn, Luke, Lacie, Eddie & Aliza xxx
To Dot, Helen, Kerrie, Paul and their families we have lovely memories of Ian’s jovial nature and his big smile. We are thinking of you dearly in this difficult time. Wishing you lots of love, Steve, Anna, Phoebe and Tessa xxxx
Our sincere condolences to Dot & all the family on your loss.
Ian was always such a generous, kind, amazing man. It has been an honour & an absolute pleasure to work in Ian & Dot’s magnificent garden. It’s such a credit to him and his ‘hard yakka’ & so inspiring for us. We will very much miss our little chats & his smiling face.
Warmest Regards, Bree Ure & Kalinda Knox
Our love and condolences to dear Aunty Dorothy, Kerrie, Helen and Paul and their families.at this sad time. Uncle Ian was a true gentleman whose beautiful smile reflected his kindness, love and enthusiasm for life. Always asking about our family with genuine interest and warmness. He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him❤
Deepest sympathy to Dot & Paul & the Thomas family on the loss of Ian.
Another Pakenham Icon taken to soon. Fond memories of a good man
& a great crime scene & MVA scene photographer for Pakenham Police.
Norm & Penny Rissinich
So sad to hear of Ian’s passing. Deepest sympathy to Dot, Kerrie, Helen and Paul and their families.
Fond memories of many, many years of friendship. Sadly, later years have parted our ways, but Ian will always be in our hearts.
We will be thinking of you all on Friday.
Val Lucas, Brett & Marie, Anthony & Sarah and their families.
May his dear soul rest in peace.
So saddened to hear of Ian’s passing and my deep sympathy goes out to Dot and all the family. I reported for the Gazette from I believe 1979 till about 1985 or so, including being out gathering stories and pics like Dot and Ian covering the tragic events and devastation of the Ash Wednesday bush fires in 1983. I’ll always remember working closely alongside them in that tiny office as it was then in Main Street. RIP Ian.
We will forever remember our Uncle and Great Uncle Ian with such fondness and love. He always made us so very welcome into his home and we always left with so many happy memories. As a child and teenager I always looked forward to and enjoyed my time spent with the Thomas family, including my cousins Kerrie, Helen and Paul, not to mention our amazing Aunty Dorothy. Such fun times were had in Pakenham when our kids were young also. They were thoroughly spoiled and doted on and very much felt part of a larger family.
Uncle Ian will be deeply missed by us all. With much love and condolences to the Thomas and extended family.
So sorry to hear of Ian’s passing. On behalf of the Hudson family I wish to pay my deepest respects to the Thomas family. Both families had long business, and community connections. A sad time but a time to celebrate a great life.
Our sincere thoughts are with you all on the passing of Ian. A man who always had time to give you a smile and friendly hello. He will be remembered for all the wonderful things he did for the community and especially for being the lovely man he was. Sincere thoughts Barb and Barry Morrison.
To Dorothy and Family,
We were deeply saddened to hear of Ian’s sudden passing.
Our thoughts and sympathy are with you all.
Darrell and Barb Hardy
Ian was the nicest person I have ever met.
I have known Ian most of my life.
In my youth he was a young scoutmaster,then during my 50 years in business in Pakenham I had a wonderful association with him at the Pakenham Gazette.
Ian’s knowledge, advice, and friendship will always be cherished.
The trips to the MCG and visits to his home were a delight.
He will be sadly missed.
Darrell Hardy
My thoughts are with you Dorothy, and with all your family, at this sad time. Through Ian’s dedication to his staff in the newsroom, his contribution to this former employee’s life was significant. I shall always be grateful. Ian’s gift was to be decent, dignified, humble, and sincere: a mighty person with a warm smile, strength of character, and a kind heart. Elizabeth Hart
Uncle Ian always sincerely wanted to know how you were. He made the time to genuinely care, and make you feel included in any conversation or meeting, a quality to be admired in todays world. He was a man of integrity, and raised a lovely family with his dear wife Dorothy, a credit to them both. No doubt his many admirable qualities contributed to the respect shown on this page, and in his dealings with so many others throughout such a long, productive and worthwhile lifespan. Fond memories of a real gentleman.
Our sincerest condolences to Ian’s family. The term ‘thorough gentleman ‘ is reserved for very few but is most apt when referring to Ian. Ian was part of the fabric of Pakenham and district for many years and his positive input to the community is inestimable. Rest in peace Ian. We will fondly remember you.
Elaine and Bill Severino
Many people will walk in and out of your life but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.
Our deepest sympathy to Dot, Kerrie, Helen, Paul and families. We feel your grief.
Ian was a humble gentleman and we feel very privileged to have called him our friend. We are so grateful for all the memories we have of Ian and his grey Fergie tractor and time spent with Dot and Ian on their farm.
Our love and thoughts are with you all at this sad time.
Roger, Meredith, Kellie, Glenn and Luke James
To Dorothy and family, sincere condolences at this sad time.
The Alberni Family.
Ian was always polite, friendly, humble and interested. A gentleman in every sense of the word, Ian’s passing is a huge loss to the community. Condolences to his family and friends. Edward O’Donohue
So sorry to hear of Ian’s passing. It was a pleasure to know him over many years. Deepest sympathy and much love to Dorothy. Thinking of you at this very sad time. Robin Dawson.
A sign of a true humanist and good bloke, is someone who can relate to all walks of life. Uncle Ian’s last words to me, a few years back, have stuck in my memory and I have reflected on them often; “Andrea, the world is not fair, some people do it tougher in life than others”.
This was not an off the cuff comment but one made with reason, to deliberately show me ‘he got it’. This is one of my many memories of a happy and gentle soul.
To Aunty Dorothy, Helen, Paul and Kerry, and your families, may he rest peacefully and may you embrace those precious memories. Thinking of you all. Xx
One of the finest people I have ever known. Ian never had a bad word for anyone and I doubt whether anyone had a bad word for Ian.
Loved working with him for over 30 years. His wisdom, knowledge, integrity, and friendliness made him an all-round champion in many causes. He more than anyone lifted sport to greater heights in the Pakenham Gazette. One of his biggest triumphs was to turn his wife Dorothy into a football fan!
My sincere condolences to Dot and family.
Sincere sympathy to the Thomas family on the l passing of Ian, a most generous and caring person. A big loss to his family, community and the newspaper industry. Helen and Ted Reid
Our deepest sympathy to Dot,Paul,Kerrie,Helen and families. We will miss this great man being in our lives.we shared many stories, laughs and tears together.He will certainly be missed by all. David and Anne Harrison.
Old time memories, Alan and Ian’s boyhood times together Ian being Alan’s best man and sharing the birth if our children. Our thoughts are with Dot and Family. Love to Helen a special person, whom I was glad to have the privilege of knowing. All the best Dot, you and Ian have contributed so much to the community over the years and have been true proll models. The old guard are leaving. RIP our best man.
My Deepest Sympathies to Mrs Thomas, Kerry, Helen & Paul on the loss of your wonderful husband and Dad. Your family has always held a special place in our hearts ♥️.
Our sincere sympathy to Dorothy, Kerrie & Greg, Helen, Paul & Sarah, Tom, Ben, Kate,
Simon, Hannah, Will & Oliver at the sad passing of Ian one of natures gentlemen. The service was a beautiful tribute to a special Pakenham man. Treasure all the wonderful words spoken and special memories.
Carol & Rob Porter & family xxxx
memories
A beautiful heartfelt funeral by the family.
Such an amazing man lived life to the fullest and treasured his family and friends. RIP
. My sincere sympathy to Dot and all members of Ian’s wonderful family, What a tribute and cherish each memory. What a great family and Community minded person . Pakenham has lost a great Icon Love to all Roma Warner
My condolences to the family and the Star News family.
A life of great value, not the least for his support of the writing community. Thank you. Xx
Thank you. Your message will be displayed once moderated. This may take up to 24 hours.
×