Award-Winning Narrator Peter A. Thomas Named 2004 International College Humanitarian of the Year

International College recently honored Peter A. Thomas with the 2004 Humanitarian of the year award. Peter is an award-winning narrator for TV, radio, commercials, and film.

Mr. Thomas, named as the first recipient of The Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Television and Radio Association, also is a World War II Army veteran who served with the First Infantry Division in Europe.

“I think the Humanitarian of the Year Award is the greatest honor that has ever been bestowed upon me,” Thomas said. “I’m particularly honored the award comes from the International College because I relate to the education it provides to its adult learners. I know the sacrifice and dedication it takes for those students to succeed.”

Mr. Thomas was born on June 28, 1924, in Pensacola, to Dr. John D. Thomas and Sibyl Addenbrooke. Mr. Thomas learned the values of history, music, speaking, education, and integrity from his Welsh father, a Presbyterian minister, and his British mother, a schoolteacher from Salisbury. Mr. Thomas acknowledges that memory assignments given to him during his formative years, coupled with his father’s philosophy that “words must be visualized, understood, and felt before spoken,” created the foundation for the gifted narrator he is today.

Dedication landed a then 13-year-old Mr. Thomas his first radio job in a daily drama. After graduating from high school in 1943, he joined the Army and was one of 28 replacements sent to Omaha Beach the day after D-Day. The life-altering experience gave him a deeper appreciation for fellow soldiers, his country, and freedom.

Mr. Thomas returned to radio after WWII and attended college as an adult learner through the GI Bill. He also married his high school sweetheart, Stella Barrineau. He eventually left college for a job with CBS television in New York. Thirteen years later, Peter left CBS to pursue freelance narration and documentary work fulltime.

“Peter certainly merits the Humanitarian of the Year honor bestowed upon him by International College. Peter is a person of sterling character who has devoted his life to causes for the advancement of mankind,” said Moorings Presbyterian Church Pastor Emeritus Dr. Charles Webster.

Dolly Roberts, Founder & President of DBR Marketing, said that while Mr. Thomas is a Peter A. Thomas legend in the industry, his humanity is also renowned.

“One of the remarkable things about Peter and Stella is their ability to understand what makes the community special and then work hard to preserve it,” Roberts said. “They are extremely generous with their time. They are the genuine articles. I love them dearly.”

Peter works everyday and has dedicated himself to improving the community through charitable work with Stella. Mr. Thomas also is a devoted veteran, serving as a board member for the National D-Day Memorial Foundation, contributing to the MIA Society and Veterans Council, and organizing the 50th Anniversary Veterans of Naples Parade.

“Peter Thomas is a man of exceptional quality, character, and conviction,” said Dr. William McIntosh, President of the National. D-Day Memorial Foundation. “Mr. Thomas’ sustained, faithful service to the National D-Day Memorial and the Foundation has been unstinting. It reflects both the patriotism and the generosity of spirit that inform Peter’s life.”

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