Saliem W. Thomas, Jr. Obituary (1947 - 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