Michael F. Thomas
Class of ’67
President
Sometimes I feel like the luckiest guy in the world. Having gotten to the age of 75 and still feel like I have decades more to live and give. I try to live by the old saying used by Satchel Paige when asked about being at 42 years old, getting his first start in the Major Leagues….’Age is a question of mind over matter, if you don’t mind, it don’t matter!’ But there are times when my body does matter, and I must resolve physical issues and hope they don’t become mental ones.
In a broad retrospective, I grew up in a solid family setting, lots of brothers around to keep me straight and teach me sports…which turned out to be my ticket to an education, learning and knowledge. Doing what I was told to do was my most appealing characteristic, as well as doing the ‘right’ thing. I was a really shy, insecure kid growing up, except for on the sports fields.
Having attended public schools in the 60’s when English High was demanding, I had mentors who helped me along the way. I was in the right place at the right time, as witness my high school coach for 6-sport seasons, Bill Stewart, Jr., I was one of thousands he mentored, he was my Godfather.
I was very lucky to be educated at elite schools my whole life…..Boston English High School, Phillips Academy at Andover, Havard College’72 and Columbia Business School. I say ‘lucky’ because education/schooling is only half of life’s knowledge equation. (Also, non-structured insights growing up as the 6th in a family of 8 boys). At all levels, I showed up for my commitments.
A myriad of careers (including building his own Yankee Barn Home in Westchester, NY and running Thomas Associate’s Marketing firm for 8 years) led Mike from Boston to the New York area for 20 years. After NY, Mike came home to Boston area for the 2nd take on his Massachusetts’ life cycle. He became involved in the English High Alumni Association rising to President in 2009 and leaving that post in 2024…a long tenure but the best job I ever had from 2018-2024. The English alums I met along the way of our 200th English High School Anniversary (2021) was by far my greatest joy and pleasure despite our recalcitrant Alumni Board. The gratitude I take away from so many relationships I have/had remains one of my life’s greatest satisfactions.
The third phase of my life (Boston 1st, NY, 2nd and Massachusetts, 3rd) locally represents my happiest and most financially secure. In 2022, despite my 4th brother Ed’s return to Boston area and our family becoming reacquainted with him, Denise and I knew he was a very sick man for the last 2 years of his life. But Ed being a great actor, carried on while mutually enjoying everyone’s other’s company tremendously. Our family really got to see Ed’s class and style despite his sickness. Those who did not see/meet him during this time missed out.
So, in retirement, I write today with an appreciation of life itself. Looking back with few regrets, only that I did not tell my loved ones how much I loved them and how important they were and their memories still are in my life. Mom, Dad, Tom, Bill S., Jack, Joey, Jules, Eleanor, I miss them all in different ways. Ed, I miss the most because of the intimate and intense time we spent together. Ed’s deliberate largess to his family and charities (English High included) WAS something to behold and execute. I’m grateful to be here and well enough to continue Ed’s and my family’s love for life; I hope to build on it. In his California nothing matters dialect, Ed’s words are always on my mind: ‘we’re not here for a long time so we better have a good time.’
Mike lives in Walpole with his wife, Denise, and enjoys gardening, golf (sometimes), cooking, traveling and his local sports teams. His family includes Denise’s son, Will, who lives and works in Vienna, Austria as a software engineer.
