Raymond W. Thompson, Sr. 78, of Swanzey and formerly of Strafford, NH and West Haven, CT, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 30, 2021, after a period of declining health.
Ray was born in New Haven, CT on August 17, 1943. Son of the late Mary R. (Melillo) and Wesley A. Thompson. He graduated from East Haven High School in CT and earned his Associates’s degree in Business Administration from the University of New Haven, class of 1974.
He also served in the United States Army as an Air Defense Missile Crewman from March 21, 1962, to October 7, 1963, during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged at the rank of SP4 – E4.
His career as a manager spanned 40-plus years and included employment at Schleicher & Schuell, Winchendon Furniture, Kingsbury Machine Tool and Sprague and Carlton, and Armstrong Rubber Co in CT.
On August 22, 1964, Ray married the love of his life, Eileen G. Mitchell at the First Congregational Church in West Haven, CT. They were married for fifty-seven years.
Ray enjoyed many hobbies over the years; he was an avid golfer, playing cards, solving puzzles, and loved to spend time with his family and friends at The WesMar. He was also very involved in the Masons, Eastern Star, and the American Legion.
Mr. Thompson is survived by his wife of 57 years, Eileen Thompson, three children: Raymond Thompson, Jr. and his wife Elizabeth of Swanzey, Wendy Sampson and her husband Joel of West Chesterfield, and Heather Smith and her husband Peter of Keene. His two siblings; Patricia Mainetti and her husband Nick of Higganum, CT and James Thompson of NH. Along with seven grandchildren: Carl Thompson, John Thompson, Matthew Sampson, Bradly Sampson, Nathan Sampson, Alexandra Smith, and Jack Smith. Ray is also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
A celebration of life service will be held on Sunday, June 5, 2022 at 2pm. in the funeral chapel with military honors to be given. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Tunnel to Towers or the Masons Grand Lodge Special Ladies fund. All servcies are under the care of Cheshire Family Funeral Chapel and Crematories, 44 Maple Ave. Keene, NH. 03431. WWW.cheshirefamilyfh.com
