Marcus Thompson

THOMPSON, MARCUS, JR., 85,, passed away Thursday, September 5, 2013 surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of Barbara O. (Coffin) Thompson. Born in Westerly, RI, he was a son of the late Marcus and Winifred (Hinchliffe) Thompson. Marcus graduated from Rhode Island School of Design in Textile Manufacturing. He worked at Worcester Company as purchasing agent and wool buyer for many years, and previously worked at the Stillwater Mills. Marcus was owner and operator of Seldom Seen Farm with his wife for over sixty years raising and showing sheep. He was a former 4-H leader, served in various offices and was a Lifetime Member of New England Sheep & Wool Growers, founding member of the Northeast Youth Sheep Show, Honorary Lifetime Member of Rhode Island Sheep Cooperative, and member of New England Hampshire Sheep Association. Marcus ran the sheep show at the Big E for over 30 years, retiring in 2005 at which time the Hampshire sheep show was named after him. In 2008, he and his wife received the Farmers of the Year Award from the Chepachet Grange. Following in his father's footsteps, Marcus served as a Trustee of the Eastern States Exposition since 1979, and in May 2013 was honored with the prestigious ESE Agricultural Adventurers Award. He was an army veteran of the Korean War. Besides his wife, he is survived by his children, Polly A. Hopkins and her husband Kevin of Chepachet, Jill A. Morton and her husband David of Chepachet and Kerby O. Thompson and his partner Frank Cerbo of Cortland, NY. He was the grandfather of Sarah A. Jakeman and her husband Jack, Christopher C. Hopkins, Brennen and Emma Morton; cousin of Priscilla Myers. Relatives and friends are invited to visiting hours Sunday from 2-5pm in the TUCKER-QUINN Funeral Chapel, 643 Putnam Ave. (Rt.44) Greenville. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations to N.E. Sheep & Wool Growers Assoc. for Hampshire Youth, c/o: Scott Poitrias, 95 Hollow Rd., Brimfield, MA 01010 will be appreciated. Information and Condolences, visit TuckerQuinnFuneralChapel.com.