Philip C. Thompson

Philip C Thompson, age 91, of Addison, New York and Willow, Alaska, passed onto the Lord, peacefully at his home in Addison, New York on Friday, May 10, 2024. Members of his loving family surrounded him.
Phil was born on September 7, 1932 at the Thompson Farm on County Route 1 in Addison, New York. Phil was one of 13 children raised on the family dairy farm. He was the fifth child of parents, Duane and Jane Thompson. In addition to his parents, Phil was preceded in death by brothers Dave, Jim, and Fred and sisters Winifred, Helen, and Kathleen. He is survived by brothers Joe, Dan, Steve, and John and sisters Mary Jane and Patricia along with several nieces and nephews.
Phil attended Addison Country School, a one room schoolhouse that was 1/2 mile south of the family farm. He graduated from Addison High School in 1950 and went to work on his fathers farm.
In 1960 Phil was drawn Westward and ventured to California. He worked numerous jobs there and even spent some time panning for gold. He met up with his brother Fred and in 1962 they continued their adventures by moving to Alaska. They had no connections in Alaska, but drove until they found an interesting area called the Matanuska Susitna Valley. Here they found employment as farm hands with the Depriest family of Palmer Alaska.
Phil was a true homesteader in every sense of the word. He purchased land in Willow, Alaska, a heavily wooded and remote area and carved out a farm. He spent his first winter living in an army tent with his bulldozer to keep it warm so that it would start in the mornings to clear land while the ground was frozen. Through hard work and dedication, Phil constructed a rustic cabin and farm buildings from his timber. He pushed the heavy woods into hedgerows and planted grain crops and gardens in between. He took great pride in his ability to be self-sufficient.
Phil spent 60+ years in Alaska splitting his time between his homestead and the Depriest family farm. He was very fond of the Depriest family and considered their family to be his own. He made a few trips back to Addison over the years and was loved and adored by big groups of nieces and nephews that followed him everywhere he went. He had a profound impact on two families thousands of miles apart.
Phils sense of humor and vivid memory of every little detail in his past was unmatched. We all learned so much from him. Now we hope that we can remember it. Our time with him was too short, but all of Phil s family and friends know that today Phil is walking in heaven, with a new body, made whole, beside his Lord and savior Jesus Christ.
It was Phil's wish that there be no visitation. Family and friends are invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at 10:00 am at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 51 Maple Street in Addison. Burial will follow at St. Catherine's Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, a donation in his name to Saint Jude Childrens Research Hospital Inc. Memphis, Tennessee tax ID 620646012 for the benefit of children.
Service Details
Mass of Christian Burial When
Wednesday, May 15th, 2024 10:00am
Location
St. Catherine of Siena Church
Address
51 Maple Street
Addison, New York 14801
Interment
When
Wednesday, May 15th, 2024 11:00am
Location
St. Catherine's Cemetery
Address
Maple Street
Addison, New York 14801 To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Philip C. Thompson, please visit our Tree Store.