Obituary of Didier Octave Thomas
Didier Octave Thomas was born in Paris, France on September 7, 1928, the youngest of nine children, and died in Schenectady, NY on February 10, 2019. He was the son of the late Octave and Gabrielle Thomas.He studied architecture at l’Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris, where he met Susan Felstiner of Mount Vernon, NY during her junior year abroad. They were married in Mount Vernon on April 26, 1953 and lived in various places over the years in New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts. After two years’ service in the US Army, Didier worked in architectural design, urban planning and historic preservation, culminating in ten years as Associate Director of Planning at Harvard University. After retirement, he led a community organization that converted Boston’s landmark 19th century water pumping station into the Waterworks Museum.
He is survived by his wife Susan, daughter Katherine Rosenblatt (Michael) of Slingerlands, NY, son Daniel Thomas (Susanne) of Leiden, The Netherlands, and four grandchildren Rachel, Julien, Joshua and Zachary.
A private burial will take place on Tuesday, February 12 at Beth Emeth Cemetery. Shiva will be held on Sunday, February 17th from 6:30 – 8:30 pm at the home of Katherine and Michael Rosenblatt 6 Fife Drive in Slingerlands, NY Donations in memory of Didier Thomas may be made to the Waterworks Museum (www.waterworksmuseum.org)
