Roger M. Thomas

Roger M. Thomas, a resident of Fox Hill Village in Westwood, died on Tuesday, December 12, at the age of 93.

Born in Hartford, Connecticut, he was raised by his mother, Dr. Helen L. Thomas, in Cambridge where he attended (then) Buckingham School and graduated from (then) Browne & Nichols School.

He received his A.B. from Princeton University in 1952, and then served on active duty for two years with the U.S. Field Artillery, including one post hostilities year (1953-1954) in Korea, being discharged as a First Lieutenant. Thereafter, he received his LL.B. in 1957 from Virginia Law School and his LL.M. (graduate law degree in taxation) in 1964 from Boston University Law School. In 1965, he married Dorothea Wyman Thomas, and they moved to Weston where they raised their two children, Donald and Helen.

Most of Roger’s legal career was as a trusts and estates lawyer with the Boston law firm of Gaston & Snow for 31 years. He was also active in various volunteer activities including serving as President of the Browne & Nichols School Alumni Association and as a Trustee of the School, involvement in various fundraising activities including those for Browne & Nichols School and Virginia Law School. He was a past panelist on New England Law Institute estate planning forums and for 8 years he was outline author and lecturer on Wills and Trusts drafting for the Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education Practical Skills Course. He was a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and was listed in “Who’s Who in America”.

After residing in Weston for 42 years, Roger and Dorothea moved to Fox Hill Village in 2009, where they remained active in various activities, including service by him as a member of the Fox Hill Village Board of Directors.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, by his son, Donald, and his daughter-in-law, Sarah, of Natick, by his daughter, Helen T. Cressy, and his son-in-law, Jonathan B. Cressy, and his two grandchildren, Alden Thomas Cressy and Brooke Wyman Cressy, of Coto de Caza, California.  

Instead of Flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made on his behalf to Buckingham Browne & Nichols School at BBNS.org/giving or by mail to Buckingham Browne & Nichols School Advancement Office, 80 Gerry’s Landing Road, Cambridge, MA 02138-5512 or Princeton University at makeagift.princeton.edu or by mail to Princeton University Annual Giving, P.O. Box 5357, Princeton, NJ 08543-5357.

Arrangements are by Holden-Dunn-Lawler Funeral Home in Westwood, and a Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 6, 2024, at First Parish Church, 349 Boston Post Road, Weston, MA 02493.