Saliem W. Thomas, Jr.
April 24, 1947 ~ October 27, 2016
San Francisco, California Saliem W. Thomas, Jr., 69, formerly of Portland, passed away suddenly from a heart attack on Thursday, October 27, 2016. Born on April 24, 1947, Saliem was the son of the late Saliem Wadeah and Mary Delphine (York) Thomas. Saliem moved to Boston for college where he met his partner, Jim. Together, they moved to the California Bay Area in 1985, and finally settled in San Francisco where they lived for 21 years. Saliem and Jim shared 46 years together, legally marrying on June 11, 2008; that being the first legal opportunity to do so in California. Saliem was the Executive Chef for 20 years at the Almaden Country Club and the Manager of Chaps Leather Goods in Castro for over 10 years. Saliem was an award winning chef and caterer par excellence, and a member of the American Culinary Federation. In addition to his work, he was very active in various San Francisco community activities, producing and assisting in countless charitable events, including, but not limited to: the Phoenix Uniform Club of which he served as President many times, and other Offices most of the time; the AIDS Emergency Fund, and the Inter Club Fund, for which he was both Director and President for many years. He is loved and will be sorely missed by the San Francisco Leather and Uniform Community, the Imperial Court of San Francisco, his friends at the Eureka Restaurant, his co-workers and members at the Almaden Country Club, his co-workers and customers at CHAPS, and the many others who knew and loved him during his over 30 years in the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition to his parents, Saliem is predeceased by his siblings: Darryl Thomas, Michael Thomas and Sheila Thomas Tavanese. He is survived by his beloved partner, James Maher; sisters, Lorrillie Thomas, Mona Buttons and Becky Bennett; also survived by several nieces and nephews. Visiting Hours will be held at the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland on Monday, November 7, 2016 from 2-4 and 6-8PM. Prayers will be recited at the funeral home on Tuesday, November 8, 2016 at 9:15AM followed by a 10AM Funeral Service at St. Lukes Cathedral, 143 State Street, Portland. Interment to follow at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. To view Saliems memorial page or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the Frannie Peabody Center,30 Danforth Street, Suite 311, Portland, ME 04101
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I never met Saliem in person, but have had conversations on the phone with him. I was his brother’s girlfriend (Micheal’s) for many years. Saliem was the glue that held his family together! My thoughts and prayers to his family and friends! You were a stand up guy Saliem with a kind heart!!!
– Concord Nh
Unfortunately, I never got to meet Wadeah in person, but did speak to him on the phone several times with my late husband and love, Bruce Downer. Bruce talked about Wadeah often and the adventures in Maine and Boston, both good and bad. I wish the family solace during this difficult time and send my thoughts and prayers.
– Teresa Henslee-Downer Armstrong
You helped to shape my life. Christmas all year long, amazing floral and yuletide decorations, good food-good wine-good friends, and Beacon Hill I will always remember. My love for dance began when I first saw those amazing pictures of you and Sheila at the youth dance recital. Hope someone still has them. Someday soon we all will be togetherIf the fates allowUntil then we’ll have to muddle through somehowSo have yourself a merry little Christmas now
– A Friend
JIM, (I AM THE SISTER OF DARRYL, MONA AND BECKY) LORI , MONA BECKY AND TO THE FAMILY WADEAH LOVED SO MUCH. IT’S A UNIQUE PLACE IN A FAMILY TO SHARE SIBLINGS BECAUSE YIUR NOT RELATED BUT YOU LOVE THEM BECAUSE OF WHO THEY ARE IN OUR FAMILY. I HAVE ALWAYS ADMIRED WADEAH, HIS DEVOTION AND LOVE TO THE FAMILY HE LOVED SO MUCH. HIS PASSION FOR HIS WORK AND MOSTLY THAT HE WAS WITH AND MARRIED TO THE ONE HE LOVED. THIS WAS A GREAT SHOCK TO US AFTER DARRYL’ S DEATH.LORI I CAN’T IMAGINE HOW HARD THIS IS FOR YOU, I’M HERE IF YOU EVER NEED TO TALK. PLEASE LET US KNOW WHEN YOUR IN TOWN. JIM I AM SO HAPPY HE HAD A BEAU IFUL LIFE WITH YOU AND HIS SAN FRANSISCO FAMILY. MY LOVE AND PRAYERS HAVE BEEN WITH YOU ALL DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME. LOVE DIANE
– Diane Greenwood
To my brother Ward, You will be missed by so many dear …as for me, I will certainly miss all our lengthy conversationsTwo or three a month, and your Memorial Week visits each year. The dinners, flowers, and your hospital visit in 2013. It was very appreciated all that you do. All the laughs and fun, will never be forgotten . It was a terrible shock to hear this dreaded news, just two months after losing our oldest brother to cancer. R.I.P. love, your sister Mona And family
– Mona Button