Born: July 17, 1888
Died: May 15, 1953
Harold Thomas operated Thomas Boat Landing at 35 River Street for many years.
Lake Placid News, October 21, 1938
THOMAS BROTHERS KILL TWO BEARS
Two black bears, killed on Ampersand mountain by Harold Thomas and his brother, Roland Thomas, both of Saranac Lake, are destined to become rugs.
The bears were taken Monday before the woods were closed after the pair of nimrods had spent three day hunting. Roland Thomas killed the larger of the two which weighed approximately 300 pounds.
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, May 16, 1953
CAPT H. THOMAS DIES, LOSS TO NORTH COUNTRY
Capt. Harold Thomas is dead and with his passing Saranac Lake and the North Country have lost one of its most colorful characters. He died at the age of 64 yesterday afternoon in the Placid Memorial Hospital, where he had been a patient since March 31.
Born in Hartford, Me., July 17, 1888, he moved here with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Thomas in 1900, at the age of twelve.
Although the title of captain was honorary, stemming from the blue sea-faring cap he was rarely seen without, it was well deserved for probably few others had his knowledge of the waters in the surrounding areas.
A great hunter and trapper, he and his hound dog knew every inch of the area territory.
Capt. Thomas was virtually a one-man show for passengers on his scenic boat trips. He had a fine baritone voice, loved to sing, and did, with great regularity. He also had a tremendous fund of North Country stories although some of them were felt, on occasions, to be a bit to the "tall" type of tale.
About 1910 he studied voice New York City and appeared professionally, including singing at St. Patrick's Cathedral.
But Capt. Thomas had left his heart in the Adirondacks and in 1900 he returned to join his father in the scenic boat livery business at 35 River st.
Next to his dog, his modern speedboat was his greatest pride and delight. Just as the quiet of twilight would begin to softly shade Lake Flower, that was the time he loved best of all to take his boat on the water. If there were no customers, the Captain would gather up the children and neighbors, and off they'd go.
Mr. Thomas was a member of the Boats and Waterways Club here. He was in the Merchant Marine in World War I. He had graduated from Greer College, Chicago, and state teachers colleges at Buffalo and Oswego. He taught three years at Tonawanda High School.
He is survived by a brother Roland who at the age of twelve was rescued from the Saranac River by his father who lost his life in the attempt.
In addition to his brother there is a nephew, Stephen and a niece, Nancy, all of Saranac Lake. Funeral services will be conducted at 4 p. m. tomorrow in the Fortune Funeral Chapel on Church Street. The Rev. Norman M. Moss will officiate. Burial will be in Pine Ridge Cemetery.
