Joseph L. Thompson

Joseph Landon Thompson, 93, of Manchester, beloved father and grandfather died peacefully on August 30, 2016, at Brookdale Assisted Living in South Windsor. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Doris, whose passing in April 2016 broke his heart. Joe was born in Manchester on March 21, 1923, to Maude E. (Kite) and Joseph Thompson. He lived in Manchester his entire life, attended schools there, and graduated from Manchester High School in 1942. He was a veteran of WWII, serving with Co. B 7th Armored Infantry Bn. 8th Armored Div. under Gen. George Patton. He was proud of the fact that he had served during the Battle of the Bulge and received a Purple Heart in Germany in Jan. 1945. After the war he worked in the Automotive Industry as a mechanic and became a Service Manager serving at many dealerships over the years. After retirement he became a crossing guard for the Manchester Police Dept., officially retiring at 85 in 2008. He spent many years after the war playing softball in the Twilight League and earned the nickname "Jersey Joe" after hitting home runs on the night Joe Louis and Jersey Joe Walcott fought in 1948. After putting down his softball glove in his 30's, he picked up his golf clubs and spent many years perfecting his game. He met Doris after a round of golf in the mid 1960's. He spent many years with Doris enjoying their camper in North Truro on Cape Cod and instilled that love of the Cape in his children and grandchildren. He and Doris were very involved in Church of the Living God, serving as deacons. Joe is survived by his son David and his wife Georgette Thompson of Manchester, his daughter Donna Cram and husband Peter of Weare, New Hampshire, his stepson the Rev. Dr. David Mullen and wife Marsha of Manchester and stepson Jeffery Mullen and wife Linda of Manchester. He was the loving grandfather of Bethany and Joseph Thompson of Manchester, Lauren Cram of Scarborough, ME, Aleah Manzi and husband Michael of Brooklyn, N.Y. Joshua Mullen of Manchester, Jesse Mullen of Vernon, Melinda Mullen of Winthrop, Ma., Angela Lavespere and husband Aaron of Nashua, NH. and Carissa Mullen of Beaufort, NC. He was predeceased by his wife Doris in April, his son Gary Thompson in 2011, his mother and father Maude and Joseph and his sisters and brothers, Virginia Feddema, Eula Zelinski, Walter Thompson, Everett Thompson and Naomi Jean Tuttle. Memorial services for Joseph will be held at his church, Church of the Living God, located at 199 Deming St. Manchester on Saturday, September 3, 2016. Memorial calling hours will be from 10am to 11am followed by the memorial service at 11am. Interment after the service with military honors will be at East Cemetery in Manchester. Memorial contributions may be made to Church of the Living God in memory of Joseph. Holmes Funeral Home Manchester is in care of arrangements. To leave a message of condolence please visit www.holmes-watkinsfuneralhomes.com

Visitation DetailsSaturday, September 3rd, 2016 10:00am - 11:00am, Church Of The Living God
Service DetailsSaturday, September 3rd, 2016 11:00am, Church Of The Living God
Interment DetailsEast Cemetery