The Nancy Carol, a sternwheeler (undated) Born: November 27, 1911
Died: January 9, 1965
Married: Ruth Thomas
Children: Nancy Thomas, Carolyn Thomas, Stephen Thomas
Roland W. Thomas operated Thomas Boat Landing. He built a replica of a Mississippi sternwheeler that he operated as a tour boat on Lake Flower and the Saranac River in the 1950s and '60s. The boat was named the "Nancy Carol" after his daughters.
He was a World War II veteran, having served as a SeaBee in the Navy.
He was also active in the Mt. Pisgah ski area and skating.
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, January 11, 1965
Roland W. Thomas
Roland W. Thomas, owner of the Thomas Boats including two of Saranac Lake's tourist attractions, the Miss Saranac and the Nancy Carol, died at 1 p. m. Saturday at Saranac Lake General Hospital. The death was unexpected although Mr. Thomas had been a patient at the hospital since Dec. 26. He was 53 years of age.
Mr. Thomas was born in Saranac Lake, a son of Elmer and Abbie Wright Thomas, on Nov. 27, 1911. He served in the U.S. Navy as a boatswain's mate, second class from Jan. 1943 to April of 1945. He started his boat rental business in 1937. In the winter, he operated the ski tow at Mt. Pisgah. Mr. Thomas was a member of the Masons and of the V.F.W.
Survivors are his wife, the former Ruth Towner; and three children, Nancy, Stephen, and Carolyn.
Friends may call at the Fortune Funeral Home where a Masonic service will be held this evening at 8 o'clock. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home at 2 p.m. Tuesday, with the Rev. Daniel Partridge, pastor of the Saranac Lake Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in May in Pine Ridge Cemetery.
Lake Placid News, October 21, 1938
THOMAS BROTHERS KILL TWO BEARS
Two black bears, killed on Ampersand mountain by Harold Thomas and his brother, Roland Thomas, both of Saranac Lake, are destined to become rugs.
The bears were taken Monday before the woods were closed after the pair of nimrods had spent three day hunting. Roland Thomas killed the larger of the two which weighed approximately 300 pounds.
[Note: His daughter Nancy Thomas writes "I remember that rug well at 151 River Street ... one scary big rug to a little kid."]
