Obituary of Harry Lomas, Jr.

Harry Lomas Jr., 83 years, husband of Virginia (Burdick) Hogan Lomas of Peabody and the late Josephine (Caruso) Lomas, died unexpectedly at his home on Tuesday. Mr. Lomas was born March 4, 1922 in Albert, West Virginia son of the late Harry and Mildred (O’ Neil) Lomas. He was raised in East Boston and graduated from East Boston High School. During WWII he served a Fire Controlman Third Class aboard the USS Gainard DD-706. The Gainard operated as a radar picket and fighter director ship throughout the bloody Okinawa Campaign detecting enemy air raids while providing early and continuous information to friendly forces. On 27 occasions enemy aerial strikes of 50 or more planes attacked the Gainard and ships in her immediate vicinity. The Gainard received the Navy Unit Commendation for extraordinary heroism in action off of Okinawa and one Battle Star for World War II service. Following his return from the War, Mr. Lomas and his family resided in East Boston before moving to Peabody in 1952. Mr. Lomas was employed for 25 years as a Tool & Die maker for the Polaroid Corporation in Cambridge until his retirement in 1984. He was an instrumental member of the design team who developed the Polaroid SX 70 Instant Camera. He was a Past Commander and Chaplain of the VFW Post in Chelsea. As hobbies he enjoyed sailing, woodcarving and was also an excellent diver. In addition to his wife, he is survived by 2 sons and their wives, Fred E. and Janice Lomas of Peabody, Harry Lomas III and Annette Lomas of Reading; a daughter, Susan DeCourcy of Brentwood NH; a step son, Martin Hogan of Milford DE; 11 grandchildren, Heather, Eric, Jennifer, Andrew, Harry IV, Jeffrey, Amy Jo, Michael, Mark, Kim and Deborah Clancy and many nieces and nephews. Pre deceased by his siblings Margaret Bennett, John and Howard Lomas and a stepdaughter Virginia Spacco. At the families’ request services are private. Arrangements by the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, Peabody.