Marvin P. Thomas honored with Ceremonial Street Sub-Naming
July 17, 2019
WILMINGTON – City Council President Hanifa Shabazz and Councilmembers Adams, Freel, Harlee, Oliver and Dixon, joined Mayor Mike Purzycki to ceremonially sub-name a street in honor of community leader Marvin P. Thomas.
On hand for the street sub-naming ceremony, held at New Castle Avenue and Lobdell Street were numerous elected officials, members of Marvin’s family, friends and former coworkers as well as Southbridge Civic Association President Marie Reed.
Council President Shabazz along with Councilmembers Michelle Harlee, Zanthia Oliver and Vash Turner, sponsored the legislation to encourage the Mayor to bestow this honor on Mr. Thomas. Mayor Purzycki signed an Executive Order renaming the block on Wilmington’s Southbridge area as “Marvin Thomas Way.”
Council President Hanifa Shabazz, The Office of Mayor Michael S. Purzycki & The 107th Session of Wilmington City Council joined the southbridge community for the Street Sub-Naming in Honor of Marvin P. Thomas, Tuesday, July 16, 2019, at Lobdell Street & New Castle Avenue in Wilmington, DE. Photo By Saquan Stimpson
“Marvin is a pillar in the community and he deserves this honor,” said Council President Shabazz. “I along with the other members of Wilmington City Council appreciate his dedication to service and the significant contributions that he’s made not only in Southbridge, but the entire city.”
Council President Hanifa Shabazz gives a interview after a Sub-Naming ceremony in Honor of Marvin P. Thomas, Tuesday, July 16, 2019, at Lobdell Street & New Castle Avenue in Wilmington, DE. Photo By Saquan Stimpson
Marvin Thomas is a native of Wilmington who grew up in Southbridge. He graduated from Delaware State University with a degree in sociology and received a Master’s Degree in Community Organization and Social Welfare Administration from Bryn Mawr Graduate School of Social Work.
Marvin worked for the State of Delaware as a management analyst and retired after 30 years of service. Throughout his career, Marvin led community involvement in South Wilmington and the Lower Eastside. He, along with two other Southbridge residents, led the construction of the Henrietta Johnson Medical Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center that provides healthcare services to all patients in need regardless of whether they have insurance.
Mr. Thomas served on the board of Directors of the Neighborhood House Inc. and played a leadership role in both the Apple Townhouse construction and the creation of the Eastside/Southbridge New Millennium Community Development Corporation.
In addition, he was president of the Southbridge Civic Association, a member of the Eastside/Southbridge Neighborhood Planning Council, a member of the board of directors of the Riverfront Development Corporation and served with numerous community-based committees and organizations.