Alan Thompson

WEST GARDINER -- On June 10, 2011, after a courageous battle against pancreatic cancer, Alan Thompson left this earthly life and began a new one with the Lord.

Alan was born in December 1949 in Gardiner, the son of Chester and Gloria Thompson. He grew up in West Gardiner and graduated from Gardiner Area High School in the class of 1967. He then graduated from Central Maine Vocational Technical Institute in Auburn in 1969, working briefly at the Maremont Corp. in Saco before entering the Army. He then served in Phu Bai, Vietnam, where upon returning home he married his fiancée, Paula M. Whalen, in January of 1972. They were blessed with a daughter, Hilary, in 1976, followed by a son, Philip, in 1982.

Alan went to work for Westinghouse in January of 1972, staying there for many years through the changes in ownership and name. For the last several years, Alan worked doing what he enjoyed most -- working on large electric motor repair, specializing in hydro-electric repair. Working for Maine Industrial Repair Service led him to travel all over New England, to work at hydro sites in many small towns. He appreciated the people he worked with and valued their friendship very much.

Alan was active in his church, attending the Litchfield Community Christian Church, where he served as a trustee for several years. He loved his church family and was truly grateful for all their support and prayers.

Alan was an energetic and hardworking man, with many hobbies and interests. He liked to read, and especially enjoyed gardening. One of his greatest joys was spending time in his vegetable garden, and sharing the bounty.

Many enjoyable times were had with his brother Jeff at "Trout Camp." He looked forward to spending his time with his brother and their sons, and friends, fishing, hunting, and telling tall tales of their exploits.

A favorite pastime of Alan's was woodworking. He was very talented and created many lovely things, including furniture and gifts for his family.

Alan is survived by his wife of 39 years, Paula Thompson of West Gardiner; his daughter, Hilary Dudley and her husband, Jason Dudley, and their three daughters Summer, Sage, and Clara Dudley, all of Randolph; his son, Philip W. Thompson and his wife, Stephanie Snow Thompson, of Gardiner; his parents, Chester W. and Gloria Thompson of West Gardiner; his sister, Joan Anastasio and her husband, Gino, of Keene, N.H.; his sister, Kathy Prosser and her husband, Gary, of West Gardiner; his brother, Mike Thompson and his wife, Lynn, of Boothbay; his sister, Audrey Littlefield and her husband, Dwight, of West Gardiner; his brother, Jeff Thompson and his wife, Andrea, of Windham; his brother, Kevin and his wife, Jane, of Montpelier, Vt.; his brother, Lionel Thompson of Gardiner; and his sister Amy Thompson and her husband, David, of Edgecomb. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law Penny Whalen-Doore and her husband, Steve, of Hallowell, and Coralee Brown and her husband, Bob, of Gardiner; also his brother-in-law Paul "Skip" Whalen and his wife, Terri, of Pittston; and two uncles, M. Eugene Thompson of Winthrop and Leslie Hall of Arkansas. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, all of whom he loved very much.

Arrangements have been made with Staples Funeral Home, Brunswick Avenue in Gardiner, where viewing hours will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, June 17. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 18, at the Litchfield Community Christian Church, Hallowell Road, Litchfield, with burial to follow at Cherry Hill Cemetery in West Gardiner.

His family would like to thank all the caring people who took such good care of Alan throughout the last two years. Special thanks to Karen from hospice -- your help was invaluable -- you are a true kindred spirit.