Candace “Candy” Lynn Thomas, a proud and decorated United States Army and Air Force Veteran passed away Friday, August 25, 2023, at the age of 75. Born in Yonkers N.Y., she was the daughter of the late James A. and Charlotte G. (White) Thomas. She was the devoted mother of Stephen Wyatt of East Providence and Matthew Wyatt of Durham, NC.
Candy proudly served our nation for 23 years until her retirement in 1995. She was a member of the United States Army for four years and the United States Air Force for 19 years serving as a communications technician during the Vietnam War and retired with the rank of Technical Sergeant. Candy maintained relationships with her fellow Veterans by staying involved with various Veterans organizations. She was a member of the Association of Retired Combat Communicators (ARCC Retirees Association), William Shields American Legion Post 43, New England Military Women Across the Nation Unit 158, the Vets and Pets organization and gave of her time at the Military Lounge at T.F. Green International Airport. She participated each year in the Poppy Campaign held in November and was a longtime poll worker on Election Day. Candy sang in the choir at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and was a rescuer of 16 retired greyhound racing dogs. Her greyhound Chanel and foxhound Bonnie-Bell were never far from Candy’s side and could often be found lying at her feet.
In addition to her sons, Candy is survived by her brother James Thomas and his wife Kathleen and nephew James Thomas Jr., as well as many great-nieces and great-nephews. She was predeceased by her nephew Benjamin Thomas, foster parents Roy and Verna Parrot and foster siblings Stephanie and Little Roy Parrot. Candy was the dear friend of Terri Purtell with whom she shared 40 years of friendship and laughter.
A visitation will be held from 4-7 PM on Friday, September 1, 2023, in the Thomas & Walter Quinn Funeral Chapel 2435 Warwick Ave., Warwick with a Funeral Service to follow at 7 PM. Her interment will be held on Saturday, September 2, 2023, at 10AM in Kings Highway Cemetery, Milford CT. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations to Heroes’ Horizons, 13 North Rd., Hopkinton, RI 02833 or www.heroes-horizons.org are appreciated. This non-profit organization strives to assist local veterans with their day-to-day needs and spread awareness for veteran suicide and Candace deeply supported their mission.
