The Springfield Urban League is mourning the death of longtime president and CEO Henry Thomas the Third.
Thomas led the organization for more than 50 years and is credited for several major achievements in the community, including the reopening of Camp Atwater and the establishment of the U-Mass Chan Medical School's Springfield campus.
Springfield Congressman Richard Neal paid tribute to Thomas, " "There are some friendships that span a lifetime, and I was fortunate to have Henry Thomas as one of those friends. From the football field to the classroom, my earliest memories of Henry are qualities that never changed: loyalty, selflessness, and a man of his word. His work with the Urban League of Springfield left a lasting impact on generations, uplifting young people and creating opportunities for families throughout our communities. One of our greatest memories came later in life, when we worked together to keep Camp Atwater alive and thriving, ensuring it could continue its decades-old mission of providing a safe space for our youth to grow academically and socially."
Thomas was appointed to the U-Mass Board of Trustees in 2007 and later became the first person of color to serve as chair.
He died Monday night at the age of 77.
(Photo: UMass/Amherst)