Terry J. Thompson

Thompson, Terry J. Born Sept. 6, 1941, in Buffalo, NY, Terry Thompson died Sept. 29, 2011, in Minneapolis. Left to cherish good memories are his wife, Lynne; daughter, Kristin Mannoni; her husband, Paolo; and grandson, Luca. Terry will be dearly missed as well by his brother, Michael; sister, Sheila Guenther; other family members and friends. An award-winning writer, Terry was also a teacher and community volunteer. He earned his bachelor's degree from Colgate University and a master's degree from the Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University. He attended Harvard University's business school as a Bush Foundation fellow and graduated with a master's of fine arts degree from Hamline University. Terry worked at well-known consumer goods companies -- Fisher- Price Toys, Quaker Oats, General Mills and Pillsbury -- for more than 25 years. After 10 years (1989-1999) with Pillsbury as vice president of public affairs, he joined Minnesota's department of administration as communications director, and he was named special assistant to the commissioner a year later. Terry left government to write full-time. He contributed regularly to regional and national publications. He served as board chair of the Loft Literary Center, president of the Minnesota News Council and chair of the advisors group for PPL (Project for Pride in Living). He also served on the boards of Metropolitan State University, Vail Place and Citizens for a Loring Park Community. He was chair of the communications board, Grocery Manufacturers of America, and chair of the advisory board of The Public Relations Strategist. Terry was an adjunct instructor in the graduate school of the business college, University of St. Thomas. Everyone who knew Terry will remember his warmth, easy laugh and, above all else, his sincere interest in others. He was passionate about good writing, music, political debate and baseball. Mental illness was the enemy Terry could not beat. A private service was held.