Thomas, Frederick

NAME: Frederick Thomas

Biography:

[FREDERICK C. THOMAS, 45, INTERIOR DESIGNER, ACTIVIST]

Frederick C. Thomas, 45, a locally prominent interior designer, died of complications from AIDS Thursday night at Pennsylvania Hospital. A native of Shelbyville, Indiana where his family owned nurseries, he moved to Philadelphia in his twenties. As a designer, Mr. Thomas initially worked for other firms. During the last ten years he worked independently, out of his stylish apartment. "He did residential work, and for some of the most prominent families," said a friend, Laurence Manou. "He had a very keen eye, consummate good taste, and insisted on high quality." Published on 1990-02-03, Page C09, Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA)

In addition to his professional work, Frederick was a serious activist, having helped to found ActionAIDS in the mid-eighties. He established

that organization's development department, served on its board for many years, guided its move from a church hallway to fully-equipped offices for an enlarged staff and organized its most successful fundraising events and projects. Frederick's board participation was marked by humor,

sarcasm and common sense. He brought a Midwestern sensibility to proceedings.

After his illness confined him to his home in late 1989, Thomas became the first recorded client of MANNA (Metropolitan AIDS Neighborhood Nutrition Alliance), and made it known when the quality or nature of the delivered meals were not up to his standards. His memorial service and reception at the Church of St Luke and the Epiphany was attended by hundreds of family, friends, and colleagues and featured elaborate

floral arrangements, recorded and live brass music, and great tributes from his closest friends.

Picture: (Insert picture if available)

Date of Birth: 11/16/1944

Date of Death: 2/1/1990

Age at Death: 45

Employment: Principal, Frederick Thomas Associates