DUDLEY – James Joseph “Joe” Thompson, 60, died Saturday, April 23, 2022 at Harrington Memorial Hospital in Southbridge due to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.
Joe was born on June 16, 1961 in Dudley, the son of the late James L. and Nellie A. (Twardzik) Thompson. He was predeceased by two sisters, Mary Ellen Thompson and Kathleen J. Bazinet.
He leaves his wife of 23 years, Michelle L. (O’Connell) Thompson; his children, Joseph B. Thompson and Emily Jo Thompson both of Dudley and Tyler Reich of Anchorage, AK; two sisters, Patricia A. Biron of Dudley and Joanne L. O’Connor and her husband Mark of Webster; his mother-in-law, Pamela LaPalme and her longtime companion Peter Poulin, Sr. of Putnam, CT, his father-in-law, Adrien LaPalme and his wife Marion of North Grosvenordale, CT; two brothers-in-law, Kevin P. O’Connell of Little River, SC and Justin LaPalme and his longtime companion Amy Przystas of Thompson, CT; four nephews, David P. Biron and his wife, Kathleen, of Henderson, MN, Kevin J. Biron and his wife, Gillian, of Scarsdale, NY, Brian P. Avery and his wife, Diana, of Uxbridge, MA, Jakob LaPalme of CT; four nieces, Micah Golde of Charleston, SC, Riley O’Connell of Orlando, FL, Ashley Callaghan of Conway, SC, Morgan LaPalme of Thompson, CT, a granddaughter, Kallie Simpson of Crestview, FL, many cousins and dear friends.
He graduated from Shepherd Hill Regional High School in 1979 where he was a standout baseball player and an all-star running back and defensive lineman on the football team. He was recruited by Penn State, Ole Miss, and Michigan, all Division I colleges.
Joe worked as a counselor for the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services for several years before becoming self-employed as a home improvement contractor. Joe lived a joyous life free of alcohol for 25 years. He was an avid sports fan who loved watching the Celtics with his son, Joseph. He also loved riding his motorcycle, enjoyed all types of music and listening to the rain. He especially cherished spending time with his family.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 28th from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at Scanlon Funeral Service, 38 East Main Street, Webster. His funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, April 29th in Saint Joseph Church, 18 Main Street, North Grosvenordale, CT (please meet at church). Burial will follow in Saint Joseph Garden of Peace Cemetery, Old Worcester Road, Webster. Donations in his name may be made to Center of Hope Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 66, Southbridge, MA 01550 in Memory of Joe Thompson.