Ralph Andrew Thomas

Ralph Thomas passed away in NYC on December 19, 2022 at the age of 73. Born on July 25, 1949 in Fredonia, Kansas, he was the son of the late William and Helen Thomas. He is predeceased by Robert (Bob) Cushman, his partner of 32 years. He is survived by Karl Brosch of Sunderland, Vermont, his husband of 12 years, and his sisters Ann Smith of Clearwater, Kansas, and Natalie Casalou of Lenexa, Kansas as well as several nieces and nephews. Ralph grew up and attended school in Fredonia, Kansas where he developed a love of music. He carried his talent to Emporia State University where he played tuba in the marching band and participated in theater while pursuing a degree in Secondary Education. After graduation he taught English, debate and theater in Healy, Kansas for two years before joining the Continental Theater Company. Settling in NYC, Ralph continued his love of theater. Anticipating a move to Vermont in the early 80s, he took harp lessons from the chair of the Harp Department at Julliard and attended piano tuning school in preparation for the move. As a professional harpist, Ralph played with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra (VSO) for 10 years and presented musical school shows for the VSO in every elementary school in Vermont. Ralph continued volunteering for the VSO throughout his life. In addition, he played harp professionally for weddings, parties, and events donating his music for many charitable causes. Always the musician, Ralph took advantage of his earlier years playing wind and brass instruments when he retired from the harp. He took up the bassoon playing with Sage City Symphony, The Music Company Orchestra, and the Union College and Community Orchestra; when the need arose he picked up the bass clarinet. Ralph also played with the Washington County Band and many local college bands and wind ensembles. He added recorders to his menagerie to join a local early music ensemble. Later in life Ralph picked the alto saxophone to be able to accompany a burlesque troop and the clarinet to be in the pit for musicals. Ralph enthusiastically served as music librarian for several groups, devoting countless hours to music notation. He served on the boards of the Vermont Symphony and Sage City Symphony and was a founding board member of Taconic Music. Moving back to NYC with his husband in 2019, Ralph picked up his alto saxophone and marched with the Queer Big Apple Corps until his health prevented him from marching. Internment of his ashes will take place at noon on Saturday, June 3 in the Maple Hill Cemetery on Route 30 in Dorset, Vermont. Donations in memory of Ralph may be made to the musical organization if your choice.