Regimental No: M65421
Rank: Private
Thomas Gass was born in Fox Valley, SK about 1924, to parents Ignatius and Katherine Gass. In 1929, the family moved to Hythe and bought the old Lavatt homestead. The year prior, their sons Frank and George Anton moved to Alberta, and homesteaded in Aspen Ridge. The children who came with the parents were Thomas, Tony, Tommy Anton (foster grandson), Josephine, Katherine, Sophia and Barbara. Three loads of household and farm effects were shipped by rail which went as far a Hythe. A year later, another son, Jake, and his family moved to Alberta and farmed in the Annellen district. The two Tommys and two girls attended the West Hythe School. Father and the older boy ran a mixed farm, while the older girls worked out of the home. Ignatius died suddenly at age 57, only a week after sister Josephine’s wedding. Thomas served as a mechanic in World War II, being recruited at the Grande Prairie Military Centre. After all the children were out of the house, Thomas’ mother Katherine moved to Hythe, and later to Grande Prairie. She passed away in 1959. Thomas was a long-time resident of Hythe, and was a member of the Hythe Branch Royal Canadian Legion. Thomas passed away in Hythe on December 6, 1984 at age 60.
Source: Surname File – Obituary of Thomas
Pioneer Round -Up pp. 207 – 208 – History of Gass Family