28 • December 16, 2021 - December 22, 2021
THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS
Religion & Spirituality The community says goodbye to Michael ‘Mr. Mentor’ Thomas
The Brownsville community is mourning the death of Michael T h o m a s , k n o w n a s M r. M e n t o r, c r i m inal justice advocate, community act i v i s t , a n d r e t i r e d c o r r e c t i o n s o f f i c e r. He died from prostate cancer on F r i d a y , N o v. 1 9 , 2 0 2 1 . From his Scared Straight Program, with tours of Rikers Island; to his # 1 D a d P r o g r a m , T h o m a s’ w o r k d i d not stop during his full time job and after retirement. Not only did he tr y to make a difference at work, he also touched many lives in the community. “ Mi c h a e l l ov e d B ro o k l y n ,” h i s f a m i l y stated of the Brownsville native. His concern and love for the youth enc o u r a g e d h i m t o s t a r t h i s M r. M e n t o r P ro g r a m a n d t h e S av e t h e Yo u t h Fo u n dation, to educate the young people about their rights pertaining to the l a w a n d a s a d e t e r r e n t f r o m i n c a r c e ration. The viewing for Michael Thomas took place at the Citadel Cathedral of P r a i s e & Wo r s h i p o n D e c . 1 , 2 0 2 1 . H e was laid to rest at Evergreens Cemetery the following day.
(Danny Goodine photos)
