Longtime Standardbred owner and trainer Alain Thomas of Gatineau, Que. passed away suddenly at his home on October 26, 2021 at the age of 78.
He was the beloved husband of the late Suzanne Périard. Alain is survived by his son Marc (Sylvie Côté) daughters Martine (Marc-André Fauvelle) and Mélanie (Bianca Marcoux); grandchildren Mélika (Jonathan Bourassa), Dannick (Enrika Levasseur) and Félix; great grandchildren Maddox and Romy.
Services will take place on Monday, November 8, 2021 at 11 a.m. in the St-François-de-Sales church, 799 rue Jacques-Cartier in Gatineau. The family will receive condolences at the church starting at 10 a.m.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Alain Thomas.
C'est avec grande tristesse que nous vous faisons part du décès de M. Alain Thomas décédé le 26 octobre 2021, à l’âge de 78 ans. Il était le tendre époux de feu Suzanne Périard et le fils de feu Alfred Thomas et de feu Alexina Therrien.
Il laisse dans le deuil ses enfants : Marc (Sylvie Côté), Martine (Marc-André Fauvelle) et Mélanie (Bianca Marcoux); ses petits-enfants : Mélika (Jonathan Bourassa), Danick (Enrika Levasseur) et Félix; ses arrière-petits-enfants : Maddox et Romy. Il laisse également son frère Maurice; sa sœur Annette (feu Lucien Paradis) ainsi que plusieurs neveux, nièces, cousin(e)s, parents et ami(e)s. Il fut prédécédé par ses deux sœurs : Madeleine et Réjeanne.
Le service religieux, en présence des cendres, aura lieu le lundi 8 novembre 2021 à 11 h en l'église St-François-de-Sales, sise au 799, rue Jacques-Cartier à Gatineau. La famille recevra les condoléances à l’église à compter de 10 h.
Veuillez vous joindre à Standardbred Canada pour offrir vos condoléances à la famille et aux amis d'Alain Thomas.
Great man and boss. I
Great man and boss. I started working for Alain during summer breaks at the age of 14 years old since my dad had horses with him. Great friendly and happy person and the top trainer on both Ottawa and Montreal circuits in the 70s. He learned from the best Edmond Fillon (father of the legendary family)
He gave me the taste of harness racing and I am still involved in my early 60’s. Some of the great horses I took care of under his training.
Olympic Gold
Olympic Torch
Trix Mir
Jefferson Hot line
Mes sincère Sympathie à toute la famille et un gros merci à Alain lui même. Tu vas retrouver mon père c’est certain au ciel.
When Alain was the top dog at
When Alain was the top dog at Connaught Parc (mid 70s) he offered to let me jog my first horse...the next time we came to the barn. I had to catch a train the next day to go back to school. :(
He gave me the bug in a real bad way though. Merci Alain :)
Top horses that I can recall of his from that time:
Fourflusher he was as fast as he was mean and he was mean
Quick Dividend for my grandfather
Cole Bin for my grandfather
Politician for the barber(Don Souder) that cut my grandfather's hair
Years later, I caught up with him on the backstretch at Greenwood. He remembered this horse crazy kid. Such a nice man. You will not be forgotten M.
My condolences to the Thomas
My condolences to the Thomas family. RIP Alain
Marc and Sylvie so sorry to
Marc and Sylvie so sorry to hear of Alains passing R.I.P