Obituary of Bob Thompson

Husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, veteran, Kensley Robert "Bob" Thompson, died in peace on Saturday, May 28, 2016 at Merry Heart Assisted Living, Succasunna, NJ, where he had been a resident since November, 2014, having enjoyed a long life filled with devotion to God, country, family and community. He was born May 21, 1924, at 39 Fox Hill Rd., Denville, NJ, and just celebrated his 92nd birthday. Bob was the son of the late Guywood Franklin Thompson from Colebrook, CT. and Aurella Bertha McConnell from Stanhope, NJ. He grew up in Denville and lived most of his life there, with the exception of a 22-year period living in Forked River, NJ, returning to Denville in 2001. Bob's life was an extraordinary chronicle of distinguished achievements and enthusiastic participation in a host of remarkably diverse avocations. Graduating from Boonton High School, Class of 1942, his military career began in Dec, 1942 when he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps. The majority of his World War II military service was spent delivering ammunition, food, and supplies to the men on the battlegrounds below him. He flew approximately 110 missions over the "Himalayan Hump" from Burma into China before his discharge from the service as a Second Lieutenant in June, 1946. He was a life member of both the CBI (China, Burma, India) Veterans Association and the CBI Hump Pilots Association. The GI bill afforded an opportunity for Bob to attend and graduate in June, 1949 from Washington & Lee University in Lexington, VA, with a BA degree. He was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. It was while in college and a trip home during the summer of 1947, that he met his future wife, Mary Crossan, at the Morris County Fair's American Legion booth. Mary, an American Legion Auxiliary member, also from Denville, was manning the booth since two of her brothers had also served in the war. They married in Feb 1948 and returned to Lexington, VA so Bob could finish his college degree. After graduation they returned to Denville where they raised their family. In 1950 Bob started his employment at Picatinny Arsenal, Dover, NJ. He retired in 1972 from Picatinny U.S. Army Munitions Command as a Management Analyst Officer after 25 years of service. It was at this time that he and his wife activated their second career "Kenkrafts", designing and marketing gemstone jewelry at art & craft shows, women's club conventions; and corporate buildings. In 1979 Bob and Mary moved to Forked River, NJ and continued their business for 21 more years. Baptized Methodist, Bob converted to Catholism in 1948, taking on many roles in his new found parish and faith, St. Mary's R.C. Church in Denville. At various times he was a teacher in the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) program, serving as president for several years; Lector and Eucharistic Minister; served on the Diocese of Paterson CCD Board; and the Diocesan Council of the Laity, Paterson, NJ. He also served as Lay Chairman of the Catholic Committee on Scouting for Morris & Sussex Counties; and was Chairman of the Ecumenism Commission for the Diocesan Synod of the Paterson Diocese. He received his 3rd degree Knights of Columbus in 1950. While living in Forked River, Bob and his wife were also Eucharistic Ministers at St. Barnabas R.C. Church, Bayville, as well as serving on the Pastoral Council for the Diocese of Trenton, NJ. He was active in Boy Scouts for 33 years. Bob was one of the founding members of Troop 118 in Denville, serving in several capacities, including Scoutmaster for many years. He also helped found Explorer Post 11, serving as its first Advisor. Bob had been a member of the American Legion Post 390 in Denville since 1950. He held various offices while active, including Post 390 Commander and Morris County Commander in 1956. In 1980 Bob joined Rotary International while in Forked River and held various offices, including President. In 2001 he joined the Denville Rotary club where he also held various offices. He is a recipient of two Paul Harris Fellow awards, Rotary's highest honor. His community activities in Denville were wide. At various times he served on the Board of Directors of the NJ Citizenship Council; Denville Recreation Commission Executive Board; Denville Conservation Committee Vice Chairman; Denville Human Relations Council, Board of Directors and President in 1969; Denville PRIDE Council; Chairman of Trails and Conservation Committee; a past Board Member and Director of the Denville Historical Society; and a founding member of the Denville Gardens. He was honored in 2012 as a Morris County "Living Treasure". Bob was a founder of the Morris Highlands Audubon Society, serving as President for 2 years and newsletter editor for eight years; was President of the Picatinny Audubon Club for 2 years; and on the Board of The New Jersey Audubon Society for 6 years. Taking up the mantle of genealogy led Bob to many new organizations and activities while finding his family roots. He was a member of Sons of the American Revolution, Jockey Hollow Chapter, serving as President for four years; Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War; and a Miles Merwin Association trustee. He was a life member of the Colebrook (CT) Historical Society. Besides his parents, Bob was also preceded by his son, Kensley Robert "Bobby" Thompson, Jr. who died in Aug, 1971; his wife, Mary Elsie Crossan Thompson who passed away in Nov 2002; his two sisters, Evelyn Mae Hopler who died in Aug 1993; and Helen Estelle Seath, who passed away in July 1998; and his son-in-law, Joseph Francis Walsh, who died in Dec, 2012. He will be lovingly remembered by his twin daughters, Barbara A. Sisko and her husband, John Joseph Sisko of Denville, and Sharon E. Walsh of Wantage; seven grandchildren, Gregory E. Sisko of Jefferson Twp., Douglas A. Sisko, of Denville, Bradley D. Sisko and his wife, Danielle, of Parsippany and their daughter, Andromeda, and Jeffrey A. Sisko and his wife, Amanda, of Randolph and their son, Noah; Kathleen Walsh Bailey and her husband, Marc A. Bailey of Culver's Lake and their son Kellen, Joseph R. Walsh and his wife, Deborah, of New River, AZ and Michael T. Walsh and his partner, Emily, of Wantage; his loving companion for the past 11 years, Priscilla Flint of Succasunna; along with several nieces and nephews. The family invites you to visit them at Norman Dean Home for Services, 16 Righter Ave., Denville, NJ, on Thursday, June 2 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Services will begin at 9am on Friday June 3, at Norman Dean Home for Services. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary's R.C. Church, Denville at 10:30am. Interment will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover, NJ. The family asks that you kindly make memorial gifts in Bob's name to the Rotary Club of Denville for Polio Plus, or Foundation for Peace, by way of www.inmemoryof-memorial.org Please share a condolence at: www.normandean.com.