Dennis "Poppy" Paul Thomas passed away on Monday, August 3, 2015 at Hunterdon Medical Center in Flemington. He was 69 years old. Born in Irvington, he has resided in Flemington for the past 25 years. Mr. Thomas was employed as a firefighter with Irvington Fire Department for 25 years before retiring in 1994 and later worked as a security guard for the Hunterdon Central High School for 16 years. He was a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War and was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #4186 in Kenilworth. Surviving are his husband and companion of 26 years, "Wayne" Tony Mariani; two sons, Dennis Thomas Jr. and his wife, Cindi of Lebanon, N.J. and Nicholas Thomas of Kenilworth,N.J.; two brothers, Jack and Douglas Thomas, both of Toms River, N.J. and a granddaughter, Madison Thomas. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. There will be a funeral service on Friday, August 7, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the Costello-Koyen Funeral Home, 399 Avenel Street, Avenel, NJ 07001. Interment will follow at Saint Gertrude Cemetery, Colonia. Visitation will be on Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to NJSPCA, 1119 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, N.J. 08901.