Daniel B. Thomas was born in New York in 1917. In Rye his family lived at 2 Smith Street and were members of Christ Church. Daniel was a Rye High School Graduate, Class of 1937. He enlisted in 1942 and served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II.
Daniel Budd Thomas
Daniel B. Thomas was born on 4/3/1917 in the small town of Rye, New York. He lived at 2 Smith Street with his father James , his mother Irene, his brother Harold, his sister Irene and her husband Stanley Benard. The house that James Thomas owned was valued at $10,000 ($190,000 current day ). Daniel's father was born in England and worked as a carpenter while his mother and the rest of the children were all born in New York.
Growing up in Rye, Daniel and his family were members of Christ Church. He was a graduate of the class of 1937 from Rye High School, where he was a member of the Track Team, the Self Reliant Club and the Fingerprint Club.
He would work assisting his father as a carpenter until 1942 when he enlisted in the U.S Coast Guard and served as a Petty Officer First Class.
After his service in the Coast Guard, he was married, Miss Ruth Drummond and Daniel B. Thomas Marry They would build a home together in Greenwich, CT in 1949 and would live there for the next 45 years.
 Daniel might have moved but his heart was still in Rye, he worked with the Historical Society for years on many projects. In the 1960's he was still working as a master carpenter and building consultant, assisting in the restoration of the Square House in Rye. He was direct descendent of the former and most famous owners of the Square House, the Havilands, when it was a colonial tavern.
In an article from the Rye Chronicle September 18, 1969 we find the following: Historical Society To See Color Film
"Daniel B.
Thomas, restoration carpenter at
the Square House, will discuss antique woodworking tools from his
large collection and illustrate how
he has used them in restoring the
building. The program as a whole
ties in with the exhibit on antique
woodworking and blacksmith tools
now showing at the Square House
Museum.
Mr. Thomas is a master craftsman through interest and also
through tradition. His father was
a carpenter; and the contracting
firm of his grandfather and great
uncles built the Rye Presbyterian
Church, railroad bridges and stations for the old New Haven railroad and the home in Pocantico
Hills of the original John D. Rockefeller."
FINDING CLUES ON STRUCTURE RYE HISTORIC SQUARE HOUSE
Daniel would pass away on 9/17/1988. He was survived at the time by his wife Ruth, his two sons, David and Daniel and his daughter Mellissa.
Matthew Franco
RHS 2021
Pharmacist Mate Third Class Rye High School Graduate, class of 1937
Ruth Thomas, 94, died peacefully on Sunday, March 16th at The Watermark at East Hill in Southbury. She was the wife of Daniel B. Thomas who predeceased her in 1988. Ruth was born in Rye, New York where she grew up, and subsequently graduated from Rye High School. She met Dan while working in Manhattan. In 1949 they built a home in Greenwich CT where they lived for nearly 45 years. Several years after Dan passed, Ruth moved to Woodbury Hill in Woodbury where she lived very happily for nearly 17 years. She loved her community and her circle of friends and thrived in her new environment. As a member of the Shade Tree Committee and as a volunteer at the library, she enjoyed giving back to the community that had become such an important part of her life. Her gentle manner, her kindness and her interest in people earned her many friends who she, in turn, cherished. Ruth's passion for gardening and nature were well known by all who knew her. She and her beloved poodle Tammy could often be seen working in her garden or extending her planting to the community gazebo at Woodbury Hill which was named in her honor. Each spring that area is ablaze with the daffodils and hyacinths so lovingly planted by Ruth and will live on as a reminder of the gentle soul that she was. Ruth's happiest times were when she was surrounded by her family, and she was steadfast in her deep love and devotion to them. She leaves a daughter, Judy Taylor, and her husband Michael of Woodbury; her son Daniel, his wife Gail of Goffstown, NH and his two sons, Daniel and David; her daughter Melissa Ballas, and her husband George of New Fairfield CT and their son Andrew. In accordance with Ruth's wishes, there will be no services, and burial will be private. Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be sent to St. Jude's Ranch for Children, 100 St. Jude's St. , Boulder City, NV 89005 or Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut, 39 Old Ridgebury Rd., Danbury, CT 06810
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Published in Danbury News Times on Mar. 20, 2014.
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