George H. Thompson, 70
Dateline: Plainville, MA
George H. Thompson, 70, of Plainville, formerly of Mansfield, a retired Mansfield Firefighter, passed away surrounded by his loving family at home, on Thursday August 25, 2011. He was the beloved husband of Patricia A. (Smith) Thompson, to whom he was wed on March 13, 1976.
Born in Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania on March 5, 1941, he was a son of the late Herbert and Minnie (Gillenger) Thompson.
George spent his early childhood living in Pennsylvania. At the age of 10, his family moved to Rehoboth. He was educated in Rehoboth and East Providence schools and was a graduate of East Providence High School.
During the Vietnam Era, George proudly served his country as a member of the United States Navy. He was honorably discharged after 6 years of loyal service.
Mr. Thompson began his firefighting career as a call firefighter for the Town of Mansfield in the 1960’s. He attended Massasoit Community College for fire science and on April 9, 1967 was promoted to the rank of permanent firefighter. He retired on April 9, 2003 after 36 years of unselfishly serving the townspeople of Mansfield . He was a charter member of the Mansfield Local 1820 Professional Firefighters Union.
In addition to being a former firefighter, George had also worked part time at the former Hathaway and Patterson Lumber Co. in Mansfield and most recently had worked for Mass Premier Courts in Foxboro.
A Plainville resident for the past 6 years, he had formerly made his home in Mansfield for 40 years and was a member of the Fraternal Order of Elks Lodge # 2633 in Mansfield.
George enjoyed spending time with his adoring family. His other interests included trains, taking trips to Scranton, Pennsylvania to visit steam engine train museums , attending his sons basketball and boat racing events, and when younger was an avid fisherman.
In addition to his beloved wife of 35 years, he is survived by his devoted children: Lynn E. Allen and her husband Jake of Mansfield, Hull Firefighter Brian K. Thompson of Hingham, Jeffrey A. Thompson and his wife Tammy of North Attleboro, Jason S. Thompson of Mansfield, Louis “Butch” Poulin of Florida, Dean S. O’Connor and his wife Andrea of Rehoboth and Shannon M. Pacheco and her spouse Betsy of Brockton. The dear brother of Audrey Bennett and her husband Roger of Rehoboth and James Thompson and his wife Pat of Taunton, he is also survived by his cherished 8 grandchildren as well as several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services, to which relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend, will be held on Wednesday August 31st at 10:00 at the Sherman & Jackson Funeral Home, 55 North Main St., Mansfield. Burial will follow in the Mount Hope Cemetery & Arboretum in North Attleboro.
Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday August 30th from 5-8 P.M. at the Sherman & Jackson Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, George’s family has requested that donations in his memory be made to Dana Farber Cancer Research, 10 Brookline Place, 6th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445.
For additional information please visit www.shermanjackson.com