1919 – 2003

CANTON – Gerald O. Thompson, 84, of Jay died early Tuesday morning, Dec. 2, at the Victorian Villa.

He was born in the family home in Jay on April 3, 1919, a son of Alfred and Nancy (Perkins) Thompson. He attended Jay schools where he played basketball and graduated from Jay High School. On July 3, 1943, he married Clara Drysdale.

At 15 he took over the family farm, and took care of his mother until the time of her death. He worked on the dairy farm and in the woods for most of his life. He did work at the Wilton Woolen Mill for three years. He was a member of the Norlands Grange of East Livermore for several years.

He loved to play horseshoes and cards with the neighbors, especially 63. He tuned into the Boston Celtics and the Boston Red Sox as often as he could on radio and TV. He was a die-hard Boston fan. During his last years he enjoyed going to the Victorian Villa in Canton to play cards, checkers, and bingo with his friends there and venture to places he had never been before. He also enjoyed walks to the family garden at home and get his fix of berries or grapes.

He loved to work in the woods, summertime or winter. He accumulated many, many acres of land that he conservatively cut to sell to help make ends meet or to burn as firewood in his home. He also enjoyed visits from his many family members and others.

He is survived by his wife, Clara of 60 years; his daughter, Linda Heimback and her husband Bob of McVeytown, Pa.; his sons, Gerald Jr. of Jay and Bruce and his wife Eva of Livermore; his daughter, Pamela Sechrist and her husband Roy of McVeytown, Pa.; a brother, Merle of Farmington; 10 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by a brother, Maynard; and five sisters, Gladys Pratt, Gertrude Pratt, Grace Bubier, Grazia Taylor and Doris Lindstrom.