SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) – Henry Thomas III, the longtime leader of the Urban League of Springfield, has died at age 77.

Thomas died Monday night, according to a statement released by his daughter.

Thomas spent 52 years at the helm of the Urban League of Springfield, during which he “helped shape the civic, educational, and economic fabric of Springfield while advancing opportunity, access, and hope for generations of families — particularly families and communities too often pushed to the margins,” according to the statement.

He helped revived Camp Atwater in North Brookfield in 1980. The camp is the oldest overnight camp for Black youth in the United States. Thomas would go on to also serve as CEO of the camp.

Thomas, who was appointed a trustee for the University of Massachusetts in 2007 and would become the first person of color to serve as the board’s chair, leaves behind his wife of 54 years, Devonia, his daughter, Dr. Shadae Harris and her husband, Nathanael, his son Perren Thomas and his wife, Letesha, and his grandchildren Bleu Harris and Stone Harris and Perren Jr., Penn, and Pierce Thomas.

Congressman Richard Neal reacted to Thomas’s passing in a statement and said: “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.”

More information about a memorial service will be released at a later date.

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