Obituary of Vernon L. Thompson

Vernon L. Thompson Jr. died peacefully December 4, 2018 surrounded by loving family members at Maine General Medical Center in Augusta, Maine. Vernon was 85. He was born on September 28, 1933, in Belfast, Maine. Vernon was the son of Vernon L. Thompson and Jessie May Cunningham. Vernon was a 1952 graduate of Crosby High School in Belfast, Maine. After high school, he entered the United States Navy and was honorably discharged in April of 1957. He was very proud to have served aboard the U.S.S. Albany. Vernon had a variety of jobs throughout his life. He was both a hard worker and dedicated employee who took great pride in his work. Amongst these jobs were significant years spent with Ralston Purina as a truck driver as well as custodial work with SAD #34, Depositors Trust/Key Bank, Hannaford Shop and Save, and running a private cleaning service. He will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Vernon was an avid card player and one of his greatest pleasures was spending time with family and friends in this endeavor. He was also an accomplished carpenter and handyman who built two homes (one on the Back Belmont Road in Belfast and one at Lake St. George in Liberty). He gave freely of his time and effort to help family and friends in any way he could. Vernon was predeceased by his parents, his stepfather Donald H. Cunningham, his loving wife Carolyn, his sister Marjorie McKinney and his stepson Richard Greenlaw. He is survived by his daughter Jean Nielsen, stepson Arthur Greenlaw and wife Winnie, daughter-in-law Jane Peakes and husband Brad; five grandchildren who he loved dearly; Brian Greenlaw and wife Linda, Adam Greenlaw and wife Jennifer, Benjamin Greenlaw and wife Katie, Brad Greenlaw and fiancee Leyna, and Logan Jones and wife Candice, as well as "adopted" granddaughter Monica Elwell; 11 great grandchildren, Grace, Brent, Liam, Emma, Libby, Casey, Charlotte, Caroline, Kaleia, Exzavier, and Lilly. Vernon's extended family included numerous "in laws" and relatives who referred to him as "Tom" or "Uncle Tom". Included in this group are the families of Louise and Royce Smith, Erma and Merle Overlock, Mary and Russell Grindle, Justin Knowlton, "Wade" and Sandra Knowlton, Barbara Sylvester, Helen and Harry Burns, and Aunt Wilma Moses, as well as numerous cousins and nieces and nephews. The family will be forever grateful to each of you for the innumerable kindnesses extended to our Dad over the years. Graveside services will be held in the Spring of 2019 at the Veterans Cemetery in Augusta. The time and date to be announced.