Bill and Anita Thomas: A Lifetime of Service to Others
Bill and Anita Thomas: A Lifetime of Service to Others
Bill and Anita Thomas lived a life filled with love, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to their community. Their dedication to Soles4Souls was a shining example of this commitment. By spearheading Northport’s participation in the Soles4Souls program, they collected thousands of pairs of shoes for those in need. Anita’s enthusiasm for Soles4Souls was so profound that many affectionately referred to her as “The Shoe Lady.” The annual shoe drive they started for Soles4Souls remains a testament to their enduring impact, rallying the community each year to support those in need.
Their passing in May 2020, just six days apart, was a heartbreaking loss for their family and the town of Northport, New York. But their story—one of perseverance, service, and boundless generosity—will continue to inspire generations to come.
A Small-Town Love Story
Bill Thomas was a Northport native where he spent summers at Crab Meadow and later attended the University of Alabama and SUNY Cortland.
Anita, born in Germany in 1939, survived the horrors of World War II before immigrating to America with her family in 1949. They settled in Northport, where her parents ran the beloved “Midway” sweet shop and luncheonette.
It was there, on an ordinary day, that fate stepped in. When the Midway ran out of lunch meat, young Anita was sent across the street to Betcher’s Butcher Shop, where Bill worked after school. Their lives became intertwined in the quiet rhythm of small-town life—glances exchanged at the end of the workday, a shared love of their hometown, and eventually, a marriage in 1959.
Pushing Through Tragedy
Their life together was not without heartbreak. In 1974, while on a family vacation in Canada, a devastating car accident took the life of their youngest son, Eric, and cost their son Peter both of his legs.
The loss shook their faith, but they leaned on each other and their community, emerging even stronger. Anita and Bill never let grief define them; instead, they channeled their pain into love, resilience, and an unshakable bond with their surviving children, Katherine and Peter.
A Life of Teaching and Giving
Bill spent 33 years teaching science and health in the South Huntington School District, serving as the Teacher’s Union President for over a decade. Anita, with a passion for helping children with disabilities, earned a Master’s in Special Education and became a beloved teacher in the Half Hollow Hills School District.
Their service didn’t stop in the classroom. They were avid runners—Anita completed 26 marathons, including the Boston Marathon. But their greatest impact was in their charitable work. Anita, known affectionately as “The Shoe Lady,” spearheaded Northport’s participation in the Soles4Souls program, collecting over 500 pairs of shoes in the first year to over 21,000 pairs of shoes in 2018 alone.
More Than a Memory
Bill and Anita Thomas were more than educators, runners, or volunteers; they were the heart of their community, lifting others up without seeking recognition. Their passion for Soles4Souls shone brightly, reflecting their unwavering support for our mission. For years, they hosted a 10k shoe drive, inspiring their community to come together for a greater cause. After their passing, the Northport Rotary Club continued this cherished tradition. This March marks the start of another 10k shoe drive, and we are deeply grateful for the lasting impact Bill and Anita have made at Soles4Souls, as well as for the Northport Rotary Club’s dedication to continuing their legacy.
To learn more about Northport Rotary click here. To get involved with Soles4Souls click here.