The Fort Myers Beach community was in shock after hearing about the passing of Brian Thomas who passed away in his sleep last Friday at the age of 62. In addition to being a regular at every beach event, Thomas was a member of the audit committee and the recently disbanded Charter Review Commission.
Thomas and his wife Dawn were very involved in the beach community, especially with the Fort Myers Beach Woman’s Club. Dawn is the past President of the Woman’s Club board and is currently the co-chair of the Capital Campaign to rebuild the Woman’s clubs new building. She is also on the town’s Public Safety committee.
A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Bryan’s honor to the University of Illinois Football IFUND, www.jointheifund.com.
Dawn posted the following message to her Facebook page Sunday:
It is with the deepest sadness and a broken heart that I share the passing of my beloved husband, George Bryan Thomas.
Bryan had the rare gift of making everyone feel important. He led with kindness, generosity, integrity, optimism, and an unwavering belief in others. He made people laugh, lifted them up when they needed encouragement, and left every room—and every life—better than he found it.
The hole in my heart and in the hearts of all who loved him can never be filled, but I know his legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched.
Even though we were house divided, in lieu of flowers, Bryan would be honored if memorial contributions were made to the University of Illinois Football I FUND, supporting the Fighting Illini program he loved so dearly.
Dawn Alvarez Thomas