ABRAHAM THOMY

Posted

SUMTER – Abraham "Abe" Thomy, 90, husband of Marjorie Twilley Thomy, died Monday, Jan. 20, 2014, at his home.

Born May 6, 1923, in Mullins, he was a son of the late Najib and Careemy Jacob Thomy. He was a member of the Church of the Holy Cross in Stateburg. He lived in Lake City from 1923 to 1959 before moving to Sumter in 1960. He was the owner of Thomy Studios, and began his photography career at age 16.

He served as a photo reconnaissance technician in World War II. Following the war, he studied in Philadelphia. Later, he returned home to Lake City. Thomy was nationally recognized for his photograhs of literary and society figures, political leaders, TV and film stars and other international personalities.

He was a founding member of the South Carolina Photography Association and the Sumter Area Toastmasters Club No. 4848. He received a commendation from the state General Assembly for 50 years of portraiture in 1996. Thomy was a graduate of the Art Institute of Philadelphia and the Antonelli’s School of Photography there.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Alice Mary Thomy and Evelyn Thomy Johnston; and a brother, Joseph James Thomy.

Survivors besides his wife of Sumter include three sons, David Abraham (JoAnn) Thomy of Jacksonville, Fla., Richard Jacob (Brenda) Thomy of Ocean Isle Beach, N.C., and Timothy Warren (Jennifer) McDonald of Columbia; a daughter, Karen Thomy Pressley of Beaufort; five grandchildren, Julia Kristin Pressley, Hayes and Davis Hilton, Andrew David and Charles David Thomy; a brother, George Albert Thomy of Lake City; a mother-in-law, Majorie J. Robinson; a brother-in-law, Robert Johnston of Lake City; two nephews, Dr. James (Billie) Thomy and Gregory George (Reveley) Thomy, both of Lake City; two nieces, Gwen Thomy (Anthony) Daniel and Lisa Johnston Wilson, both of Charleston; and a special friend, Kathleen Kreklau of Sumter.

Funeral mass was held Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2014, at the Church of the Holy Cross in Stateburg. The family received friends in the Parish Hall after the service. Burial followed in the Lake City Cemetery.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.brockingtonfh.com.

Brockington Funeral Home handled arrangements.