In fact, a lifetime of playing the trumpet is the secret for his active lifestyle at the age of 92.
A good trumpet player must be able to breathe properly and he was taught deep diaphragm breathing from a young age.
''I'm always thinking about breathing because once you stop breathing you're dead,'' he quipped.
''As a trumpet player, breathing was one of the important things you had to learn. The way to breathe properly was important.
''I went to a trumpet teacher in London and he was the first guy who taught me about deep breathing.
''I always think about breathing. When I get a few minutes to spare I do some deep breathing. It cools the mind.''
Thomas was in the RAF in World War 2 and worked as a coalminer in England before emigrating to New Zealand.
Thomas, a skilled trumpeter, was sponsored to New Zealand by the St Kilda Brass Band in 1955.
He was a member of promoter Joe Brown's dance band and played in the Dunedin Civic Orchestra.
Snooker and billiards were the sports he loved when growing up in England. He also played an occasional game of table tennis.
There was a 60-year gap before he was persuaded to play again two years ago.
He plays every Tuesday morning at the Edgar Centre and occasionally he goes along to a local club for a game.
''I have an occasional bash but I'm not very serious about the game I'm afraid,'' Thomas said.
''It is an active sport. You've got to keep your wits about you. That's what I like about it more than anything.
''I'd like to play better but you have to be sensible and age does have its hiccups.''
His wife Evelyn died two years ago at the age of 86 and Thomas lives by himself in his St Clair home. He still drives a car and cooks for himself and remains fiercely independent.
Thomas was talked into playing in the Masters Games by his son-in-law Ray O'Connell.
''I was pleased to support something that was happening in Dunedin,'' he said.
''I didn't realise until I got involved how big an enterprise the Masters Games is.''
Thomas keeps himself active. He plays table tennis each week, is a member of the Old Musicians Club and several other clubs.
''I try to live an active life but I try to be sensible about it,'' he said.
''It is no use worrying about what is going to happen. When I get out of bed in the morning I try to enjoy life in the best way I can.`I just keep on the go and never think about age.''
He was beaten by Ron Ramsay (Dunedin) 2-1 in the over age 75 table tennis at the Edgar Centre this week.
