Tributes

Bruce Cleveland Thomas was born August 31, 1945, in Homestead, Pennsylvania to Marion Caldwell Thomas and Walter C. Thomas. He was the second of seven children. God called him home quietly on Saturday, June 2, 2018. Bruce was active in sports and graduated from Homestead High School in 1964. He was blessed to be raised by three amazing parents; a mother who emphasized family,responsibility and unconditional love; a father who stressed hard work and perfection; and a remarkable grandmother, Grace Griffin (NayNay), who demonstrated love, compassion and kindness to everyone. Soon after graduation, Bruce entered the United States Army where he served his country honorably and then returned home. Bruce married Jackie Tilman and had a stepson, Robert Thomas. He accepted Christ at an early age and joined Clark Memorial Baptist Church. Bruce was a tenacious worker who had numerous jobs throughout high school including working at WAM TV, the family business. Upon returning from the military Bruce worked at Westinghouse Electric, J&L Steel, D’Imperio’s Restaurant and U.S. Airways. Bruce became a handyman and had a reputation for the quality of his work, genuine determination to help others and excellence in everything he did. Bruce also became an urban farmer and cultivated numerous plots in McKeesport. Most people who knew Bruce described him as fearless, humorous, wise, big-hearted, a true friend, multi-talented, athletic, hard-working, compassionate and inspirational. He loved music, cooking and all sports and was an expert at everything he did. He loved his family and friends and would do anything to help them. Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, grandmother, ex-wife Jackie, stepson Robert and brother Steven Walter Thomas. He will be lovingly missed by sisters: Carol Hickman (Gilbert), Gail Thomas, Valerie Njie (Saihou), Brenda Thomas, South Carolina, and Terri Thomas; brother Hameed Thomas and Guardian Angel/brother Paul Ditoppa (Marti); nieces Alanna Lane, Cynthia Thomas, Lingaire Njie, Njaimeh Njie, Martina Ditoppa, Maria Ditoppa; and nephews Steven Thomas, Nairobi Jones and Jibril Bailey-El and a host of cousins and friends. “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”. Maya Angelou

Tributes

Bruce Cleveland Thomas

August 31, 1945 - June 2, 2018