William G. Thomas, 73; Maritime Park Chief, Aide to Democrats

William G. Thomas, a longtime staffer to prominent Democrats and the first superintendent of the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, died of diabetes at a hospital in that city Wednesday, his wife, Maria, said. He was 73.

Thomas was born in Sri Lanka and attended UC Berkeley. After college, he served in the Korean War before joining the San Francisco Chronicle as a copy boy in 1948. He went on to become a reporter and editor at the paper, then left to launch his political career, which included serving as press secretary for Robert F. Kennedy’s 1968 presidential campaign.

As an aide to Rep. Phil Burton of San Francisco, Thomas helped draft the legislation that created the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Later, under Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Thomas drafted legislation to create the Maritime National Historical Park.

A lifelong maritime buff, Thomas was superintendent of the park from 1990 until he retired in 2002. During his tenure, he secured new funding for the park’s fleet of historic ships. He also promoted children’s programs and helped create a new visitors center.