Richard Lester Thompson

Richard Lester Thompson was born in New York City on December 1, 1946. He was the youngest child of Granville and Hermine Thompson. He died suddenly on November 7, 2019 in The Villages, Florida of heart complications.

Richard and his brother, Granville Thompson, and his sister, Barbara Civil, moved with their parents to the Long Island suburb of Massapequa Park in 1949.

Richard was a graduate of the class of ’64 of Berner High School. After high school, Richard enlisted in the Navy and served at the Naval Air Station in Quonset Point, Rhode Island. There he was trained in Avionics, Electronics and other Computer Sciences. He spent the rest of his career in the computer industry, specializing in computer peripheral sales and tech support. As a sales representative, he flew many times to Europe and Asia on business trips.

Richard met the love of his life, Patricia Lambert, in Westbury, New York. Soon after that Richard, Pat and her three children from a previous marriage moved to California, where they married and raised their blended family. They enjoyed the outdoor life and year-round warm weather of Los Gatos CA. They also loved Hawaii and made several vacation trips there; including an impromptu trip with the Oakland A's baseball team and son Todd.

Richard’s passion became the game of Golf and he developed into a scratch golfer. Known as Docgolf on the course, he enjoyed playing golf, watched the game on tv and volunteered at golf tournaments including The AT&T Pro-Am in Pebble Beach CA . He was also a devoted San Francisco 49ers football fan and continued to be a fan after his retirement to The Villages, Florida in 2007.

At The Villages, he was surrounded by golf courses and was able to play almost daily. It was here that he finally had his first and only Hole-in-One in October 2012. He also enjoyed gardening, grilling, cooking, especially, Chicken Parmesan, baking, playing softball, bowling, listening to music, reading and making many new friends in "The Hood".

Computers were his other love. Richard built and customized his own elaborate computer systems for his home office and his Aces High gaming system which is an open-ended combat flight simulator, where players can fly online or offline, and engage other players in air, land, or sea-based combat. He helped train many friends to enjoy the game as much as he did; his call sign was Maddog. He also owned all the latest electronic devices for golfing, driving, reading, watches etc.

Richard took pride in his cars—especially, an Austin Healy Sprite, a Beamer, a Miata and a red Corvette; since he loved music, you could always hear him singing, especially, in the car. He was also known for taking one or two of his beloved dogs - Humphrey, Papoose, Teddy, Gia, Duke, Tucker or Misty for a ride to the park or beach.

A little known fact about Richard is that he owned a Venture 17/MacGregor trailerable sailboat in the early 1970's named Pearl and had many sailing adventures on Long Island.

Richard Thompson is survived by his wife, Patricia Thompson. They were together for 47 years; survived by his brother, Granville Thompson, Naples FL and his sister, Barbara Civil, New Port Richey FL. Richard is survived by his step-children, Susan (Ernie) Bellistri-Linsay, Bainbridge Island WA. Ronald Bellistri, Morgan Hill CA and Todd (Jo Ann) Bellistri, Huntington NY. Grandpa Lemo/Papa is survived by nine step-grandchildren: Ryan, Ethan and William Linsay (WA). Bianca and Dante Bellistri (CA) and Chandler, Blake, Abby, Reid Bellistri (NY).

A celebration of life was held in The Villages FL on November 12, 2019 at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Home. His ashes will be interred at a military burial at the National Cemetery in Pinelawn, Long Island, NY sometime in the future.

When we remember Richard, we will think of an intelligent, thoughtful man who loved the SF 49ers, Chicken Parmesan, King Flour, Chip Ahoys, Oreos, and his huge collection of golf clubs, computers and electronic gadgets. Richard you will be greatly missed by family and friends.