William Richard Thompson
William Richard Thompson, devoted husband of 45 years to the late Nellie Chernovetz Thompson, passed away peacefully at CT Hospice in Branford on April 13, 2010. Son of the late John and Jessie Thompson, he was the loving father of William Thompson and his wife Judy of West Hartford and Richard Thompson and his wife Diane of Branford. He was a proud grandfather and treasured his grandchildren Christina Foster and her husband David, Rebecca Stapleton and her husband Michael, Robert Thompson, Ryan Thompson and Michael Thompson. His special great grandchildren are Brayden and Kylie Stapleton. He was very close to his nephew and god child Jack and his wife Lorraine as well as his predeceased brother John. Bill cherished the quality time he spent with his family and was always supportive, optimistic and a pleasure to be around. He never complained and was quick to attend to the needs of others. He displayed strong moral values and was respected by all who knew him. His family and friends defined what was most important in his life. Bill was a US Army Air Corps Veteran and retired from the US Postal Service as a customer service representative. He was an active member in both local and state PTA's as well as a board member of the West Haven Community House. Bill was a faithful parishioner and vestry member of Christ Church in West Haven, currently the Church of the Holy Spirit. He treated everyone as if they were the most important person in his life, always finding the best in what each had to offer. His selfless, caring compassion as well as his gentle guidance will never be forgotten. Funeral service will be on Friday, April 16 at 11 a.m. in the Church of the Holy Spirit, 28 Church St., West Haven, CT 06516. Friends may call at BEECHER & BENNETT-TAYLOR FUNERAL HOME, 410 Campbell Ave., West Haven, Friday morning from 9-10:30 a.m. Interment in Beaverdale Memorial Park. Contributions in his memory may be made to The Church of the Holy Spirit Memorial Fund or to CT Hospice, 100 Double Beach Rd., Branford, CT 06405.
Bill and Rich and families-I am so sorry to read of your loss. I have lots of happy memories of your Dad in our younger days at church. I know you will miss him terribly. Sincerely, Sue
Grandpa was not only the greatest person I’ve ever met, but also my favorite. He was kind, generous, funny, optimistic, and most of all, he was a man full of love. He was the head of our family and he shall be terribly missed by us all. Thank you everyone for your kind words, we’re all better people for having known him.
My sincere condolences to you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. My dad worked with your grandfather and we were neighbors on Cherry Lane in West Haven. I am out of the country and regret that I cannot attend the services
My sincerest condolences to Bill and Judy Thompson for their loss. May your father rest peacefully.
Some of my favorite memories are about Grandpa. I loved going to his house in West Haven and walking down to the beach with him and Grandma. We collected shells in supermarket plastic bags. Grandpa always yelled to us to stay off the .green rocks. at the beach. He was always looking out for us. I also remember sitting in his lap and playing with his hair. We liked to turn him into Alphalfa. He had a great sense of humor. Grandpa was so kind and loving and genuinely happy to be around people. Going to the supermarket with him always took forever because he knew everyone and always stopped to say hi. He’s been gone for less than a day and I miss him so much. But now he is in heaven with Grandma and he is happy. I know they’re looking down on us.
To our dear colleague Rich and his family – Our sincere condolences to you and your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Your friends at Walsh
Bill, Myn thoughts and prayers are with your family and you. Kevin
Dear Bill, Judy, Christina, Becky, and Robert, We were saddened to read of Bill’s dad’s passing away. From the memorials we read, it is obvious he was a truly special man. All you have to do is look at his family to know the fine values he instilled in all of you. Please know we are thinking of you with love and that are hearts go out to you. Love, Rich and Joan Solomson
Dear Richie + Diane , So sorry to hear of the passing of your father. We would have liked to express our sympathy in person but we are currently in Florida and will not be able to attend the services for your dad. With deepest sympathany, Stan + Denise Bocek
Mom (Marlene) always tells me about her favorite Uncle Bill. I remember visiting Aunt Nellie and Uncle Bill and Great Grandma Olga in Connecticut when I was very young. It is the earliest vacation memory I have. We are sorry for your loss and hope the many memories people are sharing help to comfort you.
My sincerest condolences to you and your family on your dad’s passing. Steve Germond
My wife and I would like to send our condolences to Bill’s family. Your Dad and I worked together as supervisors on the night shift of the Post Office. My wife and I also went on many trips with Bill and members of NARFE. You Dad was the nicest person I have ever known.He will be missed by his many friends and co-workers. I personley will miss your dad very,very much. I am sure he is now with your late mother. I am so sorry that I can’t make the funeral as I am not well and do not get around much.
So very sorry to hear of the passing of your father…my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family at this most difficult time.
Sorry to learn of your loss. May the comfort of friends and family provide support during these days of mourning.
To Bill and Rich and your families, my deepest condolences. I would see your Dad often around town and he would alays have that big smile. I remember the time he drove Bill and I on a double date and couldn’t find Dorothy’s house. He was mad and embarassd but he got it right and we ended having a good time.
Uncle Bill was the definition for .gentleman. – courteous and considerate. I would also have to add humorous – no one enjoyed puns more than he did. As Robert stated, we are all better people for having known him.
Uncle Bill would always make you smile. I’ll never forget his quarter tricks (especially the time when he came to visit and accidentally flipped the quarter into my son Tyson’s mouth and he swallowed it. After a trip to the ER, we had a few laughs over that. Uncle Bill will be truly missed and I loved him very much. Much love and prayers to my cousins and their families.
William, and Richard, I was so sorry to hear of your Dad’s death. He and my grandmother (Rosemary) were a wonderful source of companionship and love to one another. During their years together, we all enjoyed Bill’s company, immensely. His kindness was absolutely unique. Since Gram’s death, I have often thought of Bill, and wished him well. Our love to all of you at this time.
Bill was known at the West Haven Post Office as not only a co-worker, but a friend. My Husband, the late Harry Wilson thought very highly of Bill and always had nice things to say about him. I felt the same way. Bill was a great guy. My Deepest Sympathy to all the Family. Sincerely, Marie Wilson
So sorry to hear about the loss of such an extraordinary man. He touched our lives during his friendship with our grandmother and this will never be forgotten…he showed us what a true gentleman was. Our prayers are with all of you.
To Bill and Ryan and your family, Our deepest condolences and sympathy on the passing of your father and grandfather. You all are in our thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Diane, Bret, Daniel and Alyssa Calder
Uncle Bill was such a kind and gentle man. All of his nieces wanted to someday marry a man just like him. As young children we would visit in the summer and he showed us how to dig for clams & how to catch a lobster. Being from the Midwest at that time, we thought it was magic which absolutely delighted him. How wonderful it must have been to have him as a father & grandfather. I know he will be dearly missed by his sons and their families and all of us.
My sincere sympathy at the passing of Bill. He was the mail carrier for my family when I was a teenager and young adult in West Haven and was the person I looked to as a father figure as mine had passed away in 1960. He listened to my teen age tales of woe and saw me though the tough times when my fiance was overseas in the mid sixties. He was a friend, a mentor, a confidant and the man I looked to for guidance as I became an adult. He was always kind, always helpful, always encouraging and a man to be admired. He came to my wedding in 1967 and we kept in contact for the last 40+ years at holiday times and when I was lucky enough to see him on my trips back to West Haven. I will always cherish his warmth. He was a wonderful man and touched the lives of many. I will never let him out of my heart and thoughts. Rae Lawson Lambert