Obituary of Ray E. Thompson

Ray E. Thompson of Saint John, husband of Doreen M. (Peddle) Thompson, passed away on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at the Saint John Regional Hospital. Born at Saint John on July 10, 1923, he was a son of the late Ernest F. and Elizabeth “Betty” (Steen) Thompson. Following his graduation from Saint John High School, Ray served in the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Army during World War II. He subsequently worked for 11 years at T. S. Simms as a Time Study Engineer, and then worked for the city of Saint John for more than 26 years as Assistant Redevelopment Officer and Chief Rehabilitation Officer. Very active in his community, Ray served on various committees and held many offices in Home and School Associations including President of King Edward Home and School, Saint John High School Parent Teacher Association, the District Council of Home and School, President of the New Brunswick Federation of Home and School Associations, and was the first person from the Maritimes elected Vice-President of the Canadian Federation of Home and School Associations. He served five years on the local school board, and was a member of the initial committee to promote the establishment of the Saint John Campus of the University of New Brunswick. In recognition of his commitment to his community, Ray was awarded the Centennial Medal in 1967, for “Service to the Nation”. Ray was also active in the sports community. He coached and managed many ages in softball leagues. He served on the executive of the Southern Conference for 12 years, was the first secretary of the Regional Operation Council, Zone 4 of the New Brunswick Amateur Hockey Association, and was a life member of the New Brunswick High School Hockey Council. He also volunteered with Minor League Provincial and National Championships, Juvenile and Junior Championships, Special Olympics, Speed Skating Championships, Skate to Care, and the 24-hour Relay. Ray also served 6 years on the Recreational and Parks Advisory Board, also serving as Chairman of the Board, and was a member of the Management and Selection Committee of the Saint John Sports Hall of Fame. He also volunteered when the Canada Summer Games were held in Saint John, and worked tirelessly for various other tournaments and sporting events. Ray was also active in his church, serving on the Vestry of St. James, St. Clements, and St. Luke’s Anglican Churches, and was happy and proud to serve as Warden for St. James and St. Luke’s Churches. In addition to his wife of 65 years, Ray is survived by a son, Kenneth R. Thompson (Doris) of St. John’s, NL; a daughter, Mary Lou Reid (David) of Saint John; grandchildren Jillian MacKinnon (Peter) and Jay Reid (Reaghan), and Kelly Ann and Erin Thompson; great grandchildren Jake & Rachel MacKinnon and Christian Reid; a brother, William Thompson of Fergus, Ontario; a sister, Anne Carter (Douglas) of Saint John; and several nieces and nephews. Ray was predeceased by a grandson, Christopher; and by brothers Edward and Beatty Thompson. Resting at Brenan's Select Community Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424), with visiting on Wednesday from 7-9 PM and Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. The funeral service will be held on Friday at 2:00 PM from St. Luke’s Anglican Church, Main Street, Saint John. Interment will take place in Fernhill Cemetery. For those who wish, remembrances to St. Luke’s Anglican Church or any charity of the donor’s choice would be appreciated by the family.