John Everett Thomsen

Thomsen, John Everett PLATTEKILL John Everett Thomsen passed away on Friday, August 19, 2011 in Plattekill. Born in New Castle, Pa., John was an active community member serving as a Little League coach, Cub Scout pack master, a member of the Teamsters and a 50 year member of the Optimist Club. He contributed to many community projects including organizing the Soap Box Derby located in the current Highland Hills Park in Albany between 1965 and 1970. His career began after leaving Albany High School in 1949 for the Navy, serving on the U.S.S. Saufley as radar man between 1951 and 1954. While in the Navy, he picked up one of his many hobbies including photography. After his naval service, John held many positions in companies around the Capital District including 20 years with the Tobin Meat Packing Company in Albany, European Health Spas and Fennimore Trace Apartments in Latham. Over the past 38 years, he worked as a mechanical draftsman for Nepera, as a draftsman and construction superintendent for Schoonmaker Homes, the Hudson Valley Community Hospital and Napa Auto Parts, where he worked for 10 years until retiring at 77. John was an avid chorister, vocalist and bell ringer in every church he attended. He was an ecumenical laymen preacher to nursing homes where he and his wife Ruth organized senior luncheons for many years. John was also a deacon and a servant leader in every sense. He spent much of his life in service to others and loved to dance. He was preceeded in death by his sister, Betty Sloan and brother, Paul Thomsen and is survived by his second wife of 38 years, Ruth; his brother, T. Edward Thomsen of Boca Raton, Fla.; his five sons, Richard (Donna) of Marlboro, N.Y., James of Key West, Fla., David (Sharon) of Pflugerville, Texas, John (Denise) of Niskayuna and Robert of Schenectady; several stepchildren and over 35 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 27 at 1 p.m. at the Union Presbyterian Church located at 44 Balmville Rd. in Newburgh, N.Y. An inurment service at Meadow Lawn Cemetery in Petersburg, N.Y., will take place at the family's convenience. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to the music department of Union Presbyterian Church which will be very much appreciated.