NORWICH – Leslie J. “Les” Thompson, 77, passed away on Jan. 1, 2007 at his residence in Port Orange, Fla., after a courageous struggle with congestive heart failure.
Les was born in Norwich on Sept. 22, 1929, the oldest of seven children of the late Harvey and Marion (Hugaboon) Thompson. He received his education in Norwich schools and was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served during the Korean War. On Aug. 12, 1955, he was united in marriage with the former Jayne L. Norwood in Norwich. The couple moved to Cold Brook in 1966. For over 35 years, Les built silos with the Crane Silo Company and as an independent contractor. He was a member of Adirondack Post #1118 American Legion, Cold Brook.
Survivors besides his wife of 51 years, Jayne, includes four daughters, Tina Chapman of Newport, Shawn VanCollie and her husband, Steve, of Mesa, Ariz., Robin Hearburg and her husband, Scott, of Ticonderoga and Lisa Fogo and her husband, Jim, of Saratoga Springs; a son-in-law, Jack Chapman of Albany; six grandchildren, Jessica, Joshua and Brandon Chapman, Savannah and Sawyer VanCollie and HaiLee Hearburg; two sisters, Deanna Snell of Norwich and Linda Simpson of Texas; four brothers, Robert of Burlington Flats, Percy of Ga., Harold of Fla. and William of South Plymouth; special friends David and Patricia Huckabone of Port Orange; and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his sister, Barbara Thompson, in 1992.
Funeral srevices will be held at the Autenrith Funeral Home, Newport, on Sunday at 4 p.m. with Pastor David Dunbar of the Kuyahoora Methodist Parish officiating. Private interment will take place on Monday in South Plymouth Cemetery. Calling hours at the funeral home are Sunday prior to the funeral from 2 to 4 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to the Jerry Chapman Memorial Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 94, Newport, NY 13416. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.