Michael R. Thomas, 93, of Bridgeport, Ohio, died Wednesday October 26, 2011, at Forest Hill Retirement Community. He was born in Wheeling, W.Va., on January 6, 1918, a son of the late Matthew and Christina (Manis) Thomas. Michael was preceded in death by his wife, Millicent Finley Thomas, and his two brothers, Harold Thomas and Manuel Thomas.Michael graduated from Bridgeport High School Class of 1936 and continued his education at The Ohio State University, from which he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Michigan, and went on to study International Law at the University of Geneva, in Geneva, Switzerland While in law school, Michael was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served in the 184 Quartermaster Depot Company and Special Forces between June 1942 and August 1945. Following the end of World War II, Michael remained in Europe for five years, servicing in various posts with the United Nations. In 1950, Michael resigned from his position as Chief Eligibility Officer of the United Nations International Refugee Organization to return to complete his law degree at the University of Michigan. Upon graduation from law school, he returned to Bridgeport to practice law with his brother Harold. After two years he returned to the United Nations to serve as the Senior Legal Advisor to the United Nations stationed in its Middle East office in Beirut, Lebanon, where his oldest son and daughter were born. He held this position for four years, after which he returned to Bridgeport to practice law with his brother Harold. Michael practiced law in Bridgeport for over forty years, retiring in 1999. Although Michael's affiliation with the United Nations ended in 1958, both the U.S. Department of Justice and the Canadian Ministry of Justice sought the expertise he gained there for many years after. One of Michael's areas of expertise at the United Nations was the identification of Nazi war criminals. Michael testified in numerous cases for both the United States and Canadian governments in deportation proceedings against Nazi war criminals through the 1990's. Michael strongly believed in giving back to this community, and was actively involved in numerous community, civic and professional activities. He was the solicitor for the Village of Bridgeport from 1959-1983, the Solicitor for the Village of Brookside from 1980-1983, and served as Treasurer for the Bridgeport Board of Education from 1959-1984. He served on and directed many local boards and organizations, including the Belmont Country Bar Association, Ohio State Bar Association, Belmont County Board of Health, Martins Ferry Elks, Bridgeport Eagles, various Masonic groups, Belmont County Community Improvement Corporation, Belmont County Sewer Authority Number One, Bridgeport Alumni Association, Friends of Bridgeport Library, Board of Trustees of Ohio Valley Health Services and Education Corporation, Member of Ohio Firemen's Indemnity Fund, Belmont Country Crusade for Europe, Director of Belmont County Civilian Defense, Belmont Country Chapter of the American Red Cross and the Belmont Country good Government League. Michael is survived by his five children, Michael Thomas Jr., of Ft. Myers, Florida, Christine Thomas, of Stow, Ohio, David Thomas(Shani), of St. Clairsville, Ohio, Ann Thomas Manning(Charles), of Austin, Texas and Ellen Thomas Davis(Richard) of Cape Coral, Florida; three granddaughters, Lauren McDonald of Hilton Head, South Carolina, Caitlin Thomas of Wheeling, WV, and Kelsey Davis of Cape Coral, Florida; and brother George Thomas(Jo Ann), of Washington, Pennsylvania A special thank you to the entire staff of Forest Hill Retirement community for their care, love and compassion during Michael's stay with them. Family and friends will be received Friday Oct. 28, 2011 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Wilson Funeral Home, 920 National Road, Brookside, Ohio. Funeral will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday Oct. 29, 2011 at Wilson Funeral Home with Fr. Menelaos Papageorgiou presiding. Internment following at Greenwood Cemetery, Wheeling.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Bridgeport Schools, Att: Guidance Counselor, Scholarship Program, 55781 National RD, Bridgeport, OH 43912. Offer online condolences Offer online condolences at www.wilsonfuneralhomes.com.