April 24, 1947 �" October 27, 2016
Saliem (Tommy) Thomas, born April 24, 1947, in Portland, Maine; passed away suddenly of a heart attack October 27, 2016, at his San Francisco home.
Tommy attended college in Boston, where he met his husband, Jim Maher. They moved to the Bay Area in 1985. Tommy and Jim shared 46 years, marrying on June 11, 2008, at the first legal opportunity.
Tommy was Almaden Country Club's executive chef for 20-plus years, Chaps Leather's manager for 10-plus years, an award-winning chef, caterer par excellence, and member of the American Culinary Federation.
Tommy belonged to countless community groups, including: the Phoenix Uniform Club, of which he was first officer many times; AIDS Emergency Fund; Inter-Club Fund, of which he was both a director and president for many years, and Castro Merchants.
He will be mourned by the SF leather/uniform community, Imperial Court, friends at Eureka Restaurant, Almaden Country Club co-workers/members; CHAPS co-workers/customers, and many others.
He is survived by his beloved husband, Jim Maher; sisters, Lorrillie Thomas, Mona Buttons, and Becky Bennett.
A celebration of life will be held at the SF Armory's Victorian Room, Sunday, January 8, from 1 to 3 p.m. If you wish to attend, and have not already, please RSVP via Facebook, or contact mailto:[email protected], or (415) 260-9953.