The Wayne Independent, Honesdale, Pennsylvania - August 8, 1961.
Milanville Farmer
Suicide, Found
Hanging From Tree
Anthony J. Thomas, 71, Milanville farmer, and in recent years an owner of a guest house and cottages along the Delaware River, was found dead Monday morning at 6:25, by his son, Alfred J. Thomas, also of Milanville. The body was hanging from a tree in a patch of woods about a half mile from their home.
According to the younger Thomas, his father left at 11:45 a.m. Sunday, after telling guests that he was going to fixe [sic] a water pump. He failed to come home for supper, but the son thought that he might be visiting, since he had left home in his Volkswagen.
Monday morning at 6, when Alfred arose, he noted that his father was not home, and telephoned his sister, Mrs. Vivian Ropke, Callicoon, N.Y., RD 2 (Wayne County side). He learned that his father had not been there, and went to the area where the water pump was located. He saw the Volkswagen parked near the area, and then saw his father's body hanging from a tree.
Thomas notified the Honesdale substation of the Pennsylvania State Police. Trooper Joseph Bainbridge and Robert F. Jennings, chief deputy coroner, investigated. Dr. John Perrige, Wayne County coroner, ruled that it was suicide due to strangulation by hanging. He placed the time of death at 2 p.m. Sunday. It was ruled that the suicide was due to Mr. Thomas being despondent and in ill health. According to his son, Mr. Thomas' wife died in March, 1961, and he had been despondent ever since. He also had been in ill health and under a doctor's care recently. He left no notes.
The body was removed to the Tegeler Funeral Home, Damascus.
The deceased was born in Lituania, January 23, 1890. He had been a resident of the Milanville area for the past 40 years. He is survived by one son, Alfred J., at home, one daughter, Vivian, wife of Oscar Ropke, Callicoon, RD (Wayne County), and two grandchildren.
He also is survived by one sister, Mrs. Mary Augustine, Worcester, Mass.
The funeral will be held Wednesday morning at 10 from the Tegeler Funeral Home. Burial will be in St. Lucy's Cemetery, Cochecton, N.Y. There will be a viewing Tuesday afternoon and evening.
