New Trier Mourns the Passing of Trustee, John Thomas

New Trier Township is saddened to announce today that Township Trustee, John T. Thomas, died on Saturday after a short illness at age 86. A resident of Winnetka since 1974, Thomas leaves a thirty-year legacy of community service.

"John Thomas truly embodied public service, and we extend our sympathy to his family. New Trier was fortunate to have his financial, service-oriented, and civic-minded presence on the Board for the last five years," according to Township Supervisor Gail S. Eisenberg.

Having served in elected offices, on public and private Boards, and in his work aiding recovering addicts, the scope of Thomas’ contributions to New Trier Township is significant. He served as an elected Winnetka Park Commissioner, chairing their Audit and their Parks & Beaches Committees; the Winnetka Plan Commission; Caucus Council Chair and was on the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Through many years of dedicated service, including 2016 Winnetka-Northfield Rotary Club president, Thomas embodied the Rotary International Motto “Service Above Self.”

Thomas’ pro-bono work began in 1987 chairing the Winnetka Youth Organization where he remained on the Board until his death. Among his many philanthropic and civic activities, Thomas chaired the Winnetka/Northfield United Way and the United Way North Shore Board. He was also a Board, Executive and Audit Committee Member of the Northern Illinois Girl Scouts. In 2016 he was chosen “Man of the Year” by the Winnetka-Northfield Chamber of Commerce.

Thomas believed the New Trier Township greatly improves community life through carefully considered grants to agencies, a food pantry, community support program, and other important services. He was very pleased to be elected Township Trustee in 2017 and reelected in the spring of 2021.

John Thomas is survived by his wife, Ellen, and their two sons, Evan and John.

Donations to the New Trier Township Angel Fund can be made in Thomas’s memory on the Township website. The funds are used to help residents facing a life-threatening emergency who do not qualify for General Assistance and/or Emergency Assistance.

New Trier Township’s mission is to provide leadership, advocacy, and resources to benefit the physical, mental, and social well-being of residents. Established in 1850, New Trier Township government serves more than 60,000 residents in the villages of Glencoe, Kenilworth, Wilmette and Winnetka, plus portions of Glenview and Northfield east of Harms Road and Northfield Road. The office is located at 739 Elm Street in Winnetka and online at www.newtriertownship.com.