John J. Thompson

John J. Thompson, beloved father and grandfather, passed away on January 10, 2024 at the age of 91.  He was born in 1932 in Manhattan to Arthur and Elsie Thompson.  John leaves behind a legacy of love and cherished memories with his surviving family and friends, including his son Michael Thompson, his daughters Mary Thompson and Patricia Amend and her husband Stephen and his grandson Tyler Amend and his girlfriend Cassidy Mavros.  John was predeceased by his loving wife Valerie (nee Froehlich).

John and Valerie met at St. Pancras R.C. Church Elementary School in Glendale, Queens.  Ten years later, upon John’s honorable discharge from the Navy, they ran into each other on the “M” train coming home from work in Manhattan.  They were thrilled to see each other and were married six months later on December 26, 1954.

In 1964, John and Valerie moved their young family from Glendale to East Islip, Long Island.  They immediately immersed themselves and their family into their new community.  John and Valerie were active parishioners in the newly formed St. Peter the Apostle R.C. Church in Islip Terrace.  John served as an usher for many years, as well as serving as President of the Holy Name Society.  John also was active with both the boys and girls CYO sports teams and he was also a longtime baseball manager for both the Little League of the Islips and the local Babe Ruth League.   John was a member of the Our Lady of Knock Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.  John worked for 33 years for Continental Baking Company as a Route Salesman before retiring in 1994.  John and Valerie then moved to Fort Myers, Florida.  They lived in Florida happily until Valerie’s death in 2007. 

One of John’s greatest pleasures in life was being grandfather to Patricia’s son Tyler.  Tyler has many wonderful memories of time spent with his grandparents in Florida. 

In honor of John’s life, a visitation will be held on January 17, 2024, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Deer Park – Mangano Family Funeral Home located at 1701 Deer Park Ave in Deer Park, NY.  This will be an opportunity for all of those who knew John to gather together, share stories of his remarkable life, and offer their support to one another during this difficult time.

A Mass will be held on January 18, 2024 at Saints Cyril & Methodius R.C. Church in Deer Park, NY.  The Mass will begin at 11:15 AM and conclude at 12:15 PM as friends and family come together to celebrate John’s life and the impact he had on their lives.  Following the Mass, a burial will take place at Long Island National Cemetery in Pinelawn, NY.  This final resting place is where John will be reunited with his loving wife Valerie and they will find eternal peace together.  The burial service will commence at 1:00 PM as loved ones gather one last time to bid farewell to their beloved John.

John J. Thompson will be deeply missed by all who knew him.  His legacy of love, laughter, and kindness will continue to inspire those whose lives he touched.  During this time of mourning, we ask that you keep John’s family in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate through this difficult loss.

May John’s soul find eternal peace and may his memory forever be a blessing to us all.