At his residence, on Friday, October 17, 2025, at the age of 87, Armand Thomas of Shediac passed away peacefully with his loving wife by his side. Born in Tracadie, he was the son of the late Élie and Léona (Losier) Thomas.
Armand devoted most of his career to public service and industrial relations, where he was respected by all, for his calm leadership, quiet strength, fairness, and integrity. In 1973, he was appointed Director of Industrial Relations - a role he held with distinction for 27 years until his retirement in March 2000.
Armand was an exceptional man — a family man, a remarkable father and friend. His daughters and grandchildren were his world, and he spoke of them with immense pride. Always ready to listen, to tease with tenderness, and to make those he loved, smile. He had his own unique sense of humor — quiet, subtle, sometimes unpredictable — and he made us laugh with his little quirks and his ways that were all his own. He will be deeply missed for his "words of wisdom," always full of truth as well as his quiet strength and loving support. We know you’ll continue to watch over Mom, your beloved wife, over the three of us — your daughters whom you loved so deeply and will love forever — and over all your grandchildren. And as you so often said: "It’s time to go, I’m turning off the lights."
He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 58 years, Isabelle (Bourque); his three daughters: Michelle Babin (Pierre) and their son Jeremy of Shediac; Lisa Darcy (Mark) and their children, Owen and Theo of Toronto; Nicole Thomas (James Fleming) of Luxembourg and their children, Kristen (Marcel) of Yarmouth, Kyle (Micha) of Deep River, and Cameron and Ryan of Ottawa; one sister, Andréa Thomas of Bathurst; one brother, Jean-Paul of Tracadie; his sisters-in-law: Odette Bourque and Joanne Bourque, both of Moncton, Réjeanne Thomas of Bathurst, and Mila Thomas of Edmonton; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by a daughter, Lise (baby); eight brothers: Henri (late Stella), Aldora, Tilmon (late Anne), Yves, Renald, Roland, Raymond, and Yvon; as well as his brother-in-law Pierre Bourque.
The funeral service will be held at Frenette Funeral and Cremation Centre Chapel, 396 Main Street, Shediac (506-532-3297), on Thursday, October 30, at 11 a.m. Visitation will take place at the funeral centre from 9 a.m, on Thursday, October 30, until the time of the service. Armand will be laid to rest in Our Lady of Calvary Cemetery in Dieppe.
In memory of Armand, donations to the CHU Dumont Foundation or Lung NB would be greatly appreciated by the family.
Messages of condolence and donations
may be made at
www.frenettefuneralhome.com