Derrick Benedict Thomas

The second of the beloved eight Thomas kids, Derrick was born January 17, 1938 to Dulcie Virginia Maria De Jonk and Peduru Hewa Kankanange in Galle, Sri Lanka. He was a diver and was part of a first tropical fish export business from Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). He was known for getting into mischief but also for taking many under his wing and for gathering together family and friends to his light. In his 30s, he met an American primatologist named Suzanne Ripley at her research camp in Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka. Later, they were married and had two children, Leila Thomas Ripley and Ranjit Jason Thomas. After moving to the US, he became a naturalized citizen. As he was known to do throughout his life, he learned a new skill and became a welder for the FMC Corporation (later Coffin Turbo Pump) in New Jersey where he worked for the next 35 years. When he retired, he moved back to Sri Lanka to be near many of his siblings.

He was an advocate for friends and family looking to improve their lives. He was a resource when it came to the natural world as well as a wizard when it came to mechanical gadgets. His creativity was evident in the treasured welded geode and glass bead “Tiffany- style” lampshades he made. Over the years, he fixed up a handful of automobiles for his nieces that allowed them the freedom to pursue their educations and careers. He had a knack for charming little ones and would distribute little treasures with a twinkle in his eye. He was a generous, steady, quietly funny man with whom old and young looked forward to be around. Back in the days before it was the norm for a man, you could find him carrying babies around in a body carrier, sewing on an foot- pedal Singer machine and cooking up curries in the kitchen. He loved genuine connections and didn’t feel comfortable with needless formality or chitchat.

          He grew a Bodhi tree from seed in the 1970’s and later gave cuttings to a number of family members. One of the Bodhi trees is now at the New England Buddhist Vihara and Meditation Center in Grafton, MA where several hundred worshippers pray on a daily basis. He will be missed tremendously and those whose lives he’s touched are eternally grateful for his love. He joins his sisters Rita and Therese and his brother Ranjit in spirit. He leaves behind his brothers Erol, Michael and Praki, his sister Marlene, daughter Leila, son Ranjit, grandsons Nolan and Shaun and many beloved nieces, nephews and friends.

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