Edward W. Thompson

Edward W. "Bill" Thompson, 76, of Venice, Florida, died Wednesday, June 3, 2015 with family by his side.
He was the beloved husband of the late Barbara J. (Plackett) Thompson, his loving wife of 47 years. Born in Providence, he was the son of the late Edward W. Thompson, Sr. and Christina S. (Ayotte) Lawton.
He is survived by his three children, Mark E. Thompson Sr. and his wife Adriana R. Thompson of West Warwick, Gail M. Diffley also of West Warwick and Keith W. Thompson of Hampton Beach, NH; four grandchildren, Jessica Thompson of Venice, FL., Mark Thompson Jr. of Cranston, Tim Diffley and Shane Diffley, both of West Warwick; a great grandson, Camden Diffley and two siblings, Lawrence "Larry" Thompson in Florida and Margaret "Peggy" Burdette in Georgia. He was the brother of the late Lois O'Connor.
Edward was the owner of Mr. T Sports at West Warwick Civic Center, where he assisted many local families in finding just the right hockey equipment. Prior to that he worked as an engineer at Yushin America Inc. in Cranston, RI and as tool maker at Federal Products in Providence, RI.
A simple man with an infectious smile, Bill loved his family and friends. He was known among his family and neighborhood friends as the one who would "command the post" because it was he who often watched over the neighborhood from his garage.
He spent countless hours building and flying model airplanes. He was a member of the Academy of Model Aeronautics. During his free time Bill loved to watch his favorite sports teams the New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox, Western movies with John Wayne and episodes of Star Wars with his companion cat Rocky by his side.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, June 13 at 9:00 a.m. in SS. John and Paul Church, 341 South Main St. Coventry, RI 02816. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, 959 Nooseneck Hill Rd., West Greenwich, RI 02817. Visiting hours are respectfully omitted. In lieu of flowers please consider sending a donation in Memory of Edward W. Thompson to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements with PRATA-GALLOGLY Funeral Home. Information and condolences please visit:www.pratagallogly.com