Obituary for Oscar James Thompson
Thompson, Oscar James
March 22, 1927 - September 26, 2020
It is with profound sadness we announce the death of our family patriarch, Oscar Thompson. Dad died peacefully at Hospice Wellington shortly after arriving there on September 25, 2020.
Dad leaves behind his lifelong partner and our Mom, Lois Thompson (nee Montgomery). In August they celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary - an amazing achievement! He was predeceased by his parents Oscar and Edna Thompson, sisters Helen, Marion, Enid (Ross), and Jean (Cam), and brother Morgan (Peggy). FAMILY MEANT EVERYTHING TO DAD. He leaves behind his daughter Leslie (Mike) and sons Jim (Marilyn) and Ian (Carol). Grandchildren Taylor (Ryan), Adelin (Tom), Molly, Jordan (Katie), Kevin (Kathryn), Bailey and Great Grandchildren Emily, Liam, Meghan, Joel and Quinn will sorely miss their Grandpa Thompson. Many nieces and nephews have enjoyed Dads warmth, good humour and his most memorable smile. We will continue to celebrate and honour Dads amazing life.
Dad’s legendary work ethic served him well throughout his life. He joined the army to serve his country in World War II. Fortunately for us, the war ended before he was called to serve. Dad returned to Kitchener where he assumed the role of General Manager of the Thompson Fur Farm where he continued the work his father began many years before. Dad has served as president of the Ontario Fur Breeders Association, the Canadian National Silver Fox Breeders Association, and the KW YMCA. In 1968, Dad changed careers and entered the Real Estate business in which he achieved much success through hard work and honest dealings (his trademark).
When Dad and Mom retired they enjoyed many happy years on Harris Lake. Dad spent endless hours in the bush, grooming trails and felling trees for firewood. Dad built the boat house and furnished the cottage with many items he made in his own unique style. Dad once said he “could fix anything but the break of day and a broken heart.”
Community Service was always front and centre for Dad. He worked tirelessly for the YMCA, Rotary, and Trinity United Church. When asked the reason for his long life, Dad would say 2 things: “Clean living and regular church attendance.” Dad was a pillar of the community and he held all of us to the highest standards. Dad had a small sign in his workshop at Harris Lake, it said “Better to wear out than rust out.” Time takes its toll on everyone, but Dads legacy lives on in us all.
Our family would like to thank Dads GP Dr. Tom Borys for his many years of care and kindness towards Dad. Thank you to Dr. Rachaconda at the Grand River Cancer Care Centre for his honesty and compassion. We sincerely appreciate the care provided at Grand River Hospital and Hospice Wellington in Guelph.
A private burial will take place at Woodland Cemetery (Kitchener, ON) at a later date. As expressions of sympathy, donations to the YMCAs of Cambridge and Kitchener-Waterloo would be appreciated by the family (cards available at the funeral home).
Visit www.henrywalser.com for Oscar's memorial.
March 22, 1927 - September 26, 2020
It is with profound sadness we announce the death of our family patriarch, Oscar Thompson. Dad died peacefully at Hospice Wellington shortly after arriving there on September 25, 2020.
Dad leaves behind his lifelong partner and our Mom, Lois Thompson (nee Montgomery). In August they celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary - an amazing achievement! He was predeceased by his parents Oscar and Edna Thompson, sisters Helen, Marion, Enid (Ross), and Jean (Cam), and brother Morgan (Peggy). FAMILY MEANT EVERYTHING TO DAD. He leaves behind his daughter Leslie (Mike) and sons Jim (Marilyn) and Ian (Carol). Grandchildren Taylor (Ryan), Adelin (Tom), Molly, Jordan (Katie), Kevin (Kathryn), Bailey and Great Grandchildren Emily, Liam, Meghan, Joel and Quinn will sorely miss their Grandpa Thompson. Many nieces and nephews have enjoyed Dads warmth, good humour and his most memorable smile. We will continue to celebrate and honour Dads amazing life.
Dad’s legendary work ethic served him well throughout his life. He joined the army to serve his country in World War II. Fortunately for us, the war ended before he was called to serve. Dad returned to Kitchener where he assumed the role of General Manager of the Thompson Fur Farm where he continued the work his father began many years before. Dad has served as president of the Ontario Fur Breeders Association, the Canadian National Silver Fox Breeders Association, and the KW YMCA. In 1968, Dad changed careers and entered the Real Estate business in which he achieved much success through hard work and honest dealings (his trademark).
When Dad and Mom retired they enjoyed many happy years on Harris Lake. Dad spent endless hours in the bush, grooming trails and felling trees for firewood. Dad built the boat house and furnished the cottage with many items he made in his own unique style. Dad once said he “could fix anything but the break of day and a broken heart.”
Community Service was always front and centre for Dad. He worked tirelessly for the YMCA, Rotary, and Trinity United Church. When asked the reason for his long life, Dad would say 2 things: “Clean living and regular church attendance.” Dad was a pillar of the community and he held all of us to the highest standards. Dad had a small sign in his workshop at Harris Lake, it said “Better to wear out than rust out.” Time takes its toll on everyone, but Dads legacy lives on in us all.
Our family would like to thank Dads GP Dr. Tom Borys for his many years of care and kindness towards Dad. Thank you to Dr. Rachaconda at the Grand River Cancer Care Centre for his honesty and compassion. We sincerely appreciate the care provided at Grand River Hospital and Hospice Wellington in Guelph.
A private burial will take place at Woodland Cemetery (Kitchener, ON) at a later date. As expressions of sympathy, donations to the YMCAs of Cambridge and Kitchener-Waterloo would be appreciated by the family (cards available at the funeral home).
Visit www.henrywalser.com