James Thompson

Jim is survived by his loving partner Marylyn Tefft, sons Richard (Alice) Thompson and Timothy (Catherine) Thompson, grandchildren Nikki Thompson, Carlie Thompson (Tom Rende), Grady Thompson, Logan Thompson (Justin Lindenthaler), Everett (Sarah) Thompson, Timmy Thompson, and Nora Thompson. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren Harlan Romaine, Thatcher Romaine, Miles Thompson, William Thompson, and Isla Rende, Cynthia Thompson, sister-in-law Louise Thompson, brother and sister-in law Ray and Laurie Rogers, and many nieces, nephews, and wonderful friends. Jim took large pride in his family, and his legacy will continue to live on in each of them.

Jim was predeceased by his father Harold Thompson, mother and stepfather Amelia and Donald Reynolds, sisters and brothers-in law Pearl and Robert Mundy, Betty and John James, brothers and sisters in-law, Hank and Alice Thompson, Bobby and MaryAnn Thompson, brother Harold “Pop” Thompson, nephew Johnny James, niece Cindy Thompson, mother in-law Mariba Rogers, sister in-law, Cecile Chmielewski, and his best friend Ed “Teffty” Tefft.

Born at the end of the Great Depression on September 23, 1939 on the family farm in North Norwich, Jim was the youngest of six children born to Harold and Amelia Thompson. He spent much of his childhood between Norwich and Cleveland, Ohio, where his sisters Pearl and Betty and brother Pop resided for some time. Jim attended Norwich High School and joined the United States Army in 1957. He was honorably discharged in 1959 and continued to serve in the Army Reserves until 1963. In April of 1960 Jim married Cynthia Rogers, with whom he shared his two sons, Richard and Timothy.

Jim worked alongside his brother-in-law at Bob Mundy Roofing before gaining employment at the Norwich Pharmacal Company. He also worked as a salesman at Christman Motor Sales, Benedict’s, and Equitable Life Insurance. During this time, he owned and operated many side businesses, including Fawn Beverage, which he co-founded with good friend John Rice, and a snowplowing business he started in the 60’s that eventually evolved into Thompson Brothers, which is still in operation today.

In 1983, he opened the Ontario Hotel on Griffin Street in Norwich. It was Jim’s dream to have his own bar and restaurant, and he was thrilled to see this dream come to life. The Ontario was not just a place of business for him; it was a bar for the working-class man to relax, a true family restaurant, and a place that yielded many lifelong friendships. Jim officially retired in 1998, but as we all know, he could never truly leave the Ont. If you knew Jim in his later years, chances are you’d catch him in his designated stool at the very end of the bar, possibly wearing one of his infamous Hawaiian button-up shirts and his gold chain necklace, enjoying a frosty mug of Coors Light. He loved to treat his grandchildren and having a beer at the Ont with Grandpa on your 21st birthday was a rite of passage in the Thompson family.

While Jim’s entrepreneurial skills were truly something to behold, he always made sure to prioritize time for fun. Family members often fondly recall time spent with Jim and family at their camps on Lake George and Chenango Lake, or at one of the many parties hosted in their cozy basement bar on Plymouth Street. In the 70’s, he organized some rowdy bus trips to Buffalo Bills games for his friends and family, complete with a game ticket and bagged lunch for a bargain price. An avid NASCAR fan, he loved going to watch the “The Intimidator” Dale Earnhardt at various tracks, but especially in Bristol, Tennessee, where he could also spend time with his brother-in-law, Ray Rogers.

Jim loved to host and always ensured no one ever went hungry in his presence. He loved a good burger with raw onions and was always up for steak and traveling to Maine for some fresh lobster and steak, but his most famous personally crafted dishes were his pasta soup, spaghetti sauce, stuffed shells, and Prime Rib. His grandchildren loved to visit him at the Ont and at home, and in true grandpa fashion, he never forgot a birthday—always sending a physical card AND an E-card.

Following retirement, he split his time between his homes in Las Vegas, Florida, and Norwich. He likely could have passed as an official Las Vegas tour guide, as he loved to organize Vegas trips for friends and family, and always knew the best spots and the precise dates and times to frequent them. Jim had the frequent itch to travel, and he and Marylyn enjoyed many thousands of miles traveling across the country in their RV; visiting everywhere from the Arizona desert, to Branson, Missouri, to the Maine coast. They’d return to New York to spend much of their summers camping alongside Timmy’s family at Sylvan Beach.

Jim was a huge lover of music, particularly Country Western music and “the oldies.” He enjoyed attending the Hunter Mountain Music Festival, always had the radio tuned to his favorite channels, and in his later years, he and Marylyn always knew where to meet their friends for the best live music in Zephyrhills.

Over the years, Jim was involved with many social/ service organizations. He was a fireman with the Norwich Fire Department Alert Hose Company and served on their EMT Squad. He was also involved in the Loyal Order of the Moose and was a founding member of the Polkville Ponderosa Club. An ardent supporter of veterans, Jim was also a member of the Norwich American Legion, the Zephyrhills VFW, and Zephyrhills AMVETS.

While Jim was not tall in stature, he played a “larger than life,” role in so many of our lives and this is how we will always remember him. There are so many funny stories we could share about our partner, dad, grandpa, uncle, friend, etc., but if you knew Jim well, you know that not all of them would be considered “proper obituary material.” Please hold your memories of Jim close, and the next time you’re with family and friends, be sure to raise a glass of Coors Light in remembrance of him.

At Jim’s request, there will be no formal services. To honor Jim’s memory, and in lieu of cards and flowers, please consider a donation to Tunnel to Towers, an organization that Jim personally supported that helps to provide mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children.