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THOMAS -- John W. (Jack) Thomas (86) passed on, early Sunday morning March 6, 2011. An Albuquerque resident since 1960, he was born in Manhattan and raised in New York City. He grew to love dove and pheasant hunting with his Labrador, fishing, sailing and fine food. He left this Earth in good spirit, without pain. Jack is survived by his wife of 37 years, Consuelo G. Thomas from Old Mesilla, NM, now of Largo, Fl; his sister Charlotte T. Lowry of New York; six children: Stephen John and wife Therese of Flagstaff; Consuelo Josephine of St. Petersburg, Fl; William Gustave of Alb.; John W. Jr. and James Edgar, Carla Eugenia and husband Scott Kominiak all of Alb. Six grandchildren, Ramona and Taylor Thomas, Sean and Alec Burnett, Owen and Tice Kominiak. And his niece, Nancy Hastings of Maine. Jack lived a full life. As a youngster he became practiced in photography to the point of having his own darkroom. During his teenage years he worked with his uncle, helping in the manufacturing of surgical instruments. He attended Stuyvesant High in New York City. Upon graduation from high school he joined the Army Air Corps in order to help the Allies in Europe. He was soon attending bombardier training in California. Jack would often comment on the beauty of California's citrus groves. He was stationed in Southern Italy with the 463rd Bomb Group. One of his missions involved bombing a ball bearing plant outside of his mother's hometown in Hungary. His B-17 was shot down and he was a POW for several months. Jack did not like the War and considered it a great loss of men and resources, but considered it his duty to help. Jack earned the rank of 1st lieutenant while with the Corps. Jack attended New Mexico State University on the GI bill and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. Here he met his soon to be wife and mother of his children, Consuelo Griggs. Moving to New York and working on Long Island for various engineering firms, Jack helped perfect the welding of aluminum for airline and rocket use. 1960 found Jack moving his family from Long Island to Albuquerque. He continued his engineering career while working on the opening of his own business. Mother's Day 1962 saw the opening of El Pinto Restaurant in Albuquerques North Valley. Jack managed the restaurant as if it were his home, allowing his patrons to have a pleasant and delicious dining experience. Using the Griggs Family recipes of Old Mesilla, New Mexico, El Pinto soon became a favorite of Albuquerque! There will be a memorial service held at French Mortuary on Wyoming at 2:30 to 3:30pm Thursday, March 17, 2011. A gathering for friends and family will be at El Pinto Restaurant from 4:30 to 6:30pm that day. Jacks ashes will be interned at the National Cemetery of Santa Fe.
        Published on: Sun March 13, 2011