Earnest Thomas was born in Birmingham, Alabama on December 23, 1956, to Samella Thomas who preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his sweet little granddaughter, Tiannah Rose Sevey.
Earnest moved to Boston, Massachusetts in 1964 at the age of eight. He would soon meet his first two Boston friends, Tony Bovell and Nathan Abir, in elementary school and they would be forever known as the three musketeers. In 1975, Earnest graduated from the Cathedral of the Holy Cross High School in Boston and went to work for the Colonial Provision Meat Packing Co. with his two brothers-in-law, Walter Harvey and Ronnie Jackson, who remained close friends as adults beyond work. Earnest also known as “ET” or “Ernie” had many passions and hobbies through the years. “ET” loved music, martial arts, motorcycles, boating, and fishing. He always loved to play the drums and he had an ear for acoustic sounds. An avid Bruce Lee fan, Ernie was a collector of martial arts movies, books, and practice. He studied a variety of different forms, but the one he practiced the most was Tai Chi. Through the discipline of Tai Chi, he was able to maintain a collective balance with his mind, body, and soul.
Earnest was extremely private and guarded with his friendships, and although he had several close friends, he considered DeDe Dowdell and Chester Adams to be his most trusted best friends and fishing buddies. Earnest was a true fisherman, and he would fish whenever time allowed. Being on the water and boating was relaxing and a utopia for Ernie. He loved all types of water for fishing, ocean waters, lakes, ponds, streams, etc. Once “ET” bought his boat, he lived on the waters. He would sail to some of his favorite waters in Gloucester, Rockport, and Cape Cod. One of Ernie’s unsung friends was the relationship he had with “Tiger.” Tiger was a German shepherd / Rottweiler mix and family member for 17 great years of life. Ernie called Tiger his backbone and soldier through thick and thin. Tiger was always willing and ready to accompany him on his early morning 3:00 am fishing trips (hahaha).
As a young man, Earnest always expressed an interest in working in law enforcement. In 1986, Earnest entered the Massachusetts State Police Academy, and upon completing his training, Trooper Earnest Thomas was assigned to the Troop C Barracks in Holden, MA. In 2017, after serving 31 years, Trooper Thomas retired from the 67th RTT.
Earnest was a family man who loved his three children and grandchildren. His oldest, Lajuane, shared a love for motorcycles and enjoyed the annual Bike Week in Laconia, New Hampshire; and day road trips through the scenic routes of New England. His daughter, Carolyn, enjoyed fishing alongside her dad from a very young age and his daughter, Taneisha, loved getting motorcycle rides on her dad’s bike since she was a little girl. Both Earnest’s daughters were “daddy’s girls” and his granddaughters were “grandpa’s girls.” They all loved spending time with him and just being in his presence.
Earnest leaves to cherish his memories: his son Lajuane D. (Paula) Harvey of Brockton, MA, Carolyn Jackson of Boston, MA, and Taneisha (Lawrence) Butler of Memphis, TN. He also leaves to mourn his aunt, Cynthia D. Thomas-Simmons of Birmingham, AL, and his two cousins, DeShawnder Thomas and Demitrius Thomas, as well as, his loving extended family Marquitta Dowell, Philemon Dowell, and godson, Davon Dowdell. Earnest leaves his most loving companion of twenty-one years, Miriam Carrion, and her three children, Sasha Fonseca, Natasha Carrion, and Alexander Carrion. Lastly, he leaves an everlasting impression on a host of grandchildren, (8 grandsons and 13 granddaughters) cousins, and other loving relatives and friends that will deeply miss him.
Earnest Thomas will always be remembered as a very loving, humble, kind, thoughtful and generous person and will be missed immensely by those who knew him and loved him. He considered himself to be the ultimate fisherman and now he is fishing the shores of heaven 24/7.