Herbert H. Thompson

Herbert Holden Thompson was born March 1, 1929 in West Hartford, CT. to parents Henry M. Thompson and Olive Thompson. Herb had a brother, James, and a sister, Marion, both predeceasing him. Herb attended Hall High School and the University of Hartford's Ward School of Electronics and then enlisted in the Air Force and Air National Guard. He was in the Military Police and rose to the rank of tech sergeant and was very proud of his service and the camaraderie he developed with his fellow servicemen. He shared many stories of his military service and especially when guarding the ammo storage facilities on Long Island during the Korean War.

After his military service, he began working for Honeywell, where he would remain for 39 years. He began as a service technician and eventually transitioned to become regional sales manager. He then worked for Industronics for 15 years. Next, not content to sit still, Herb began working for his son Phil's marketing company in distribution and visiting clients. He enjoyed it immensely and loved meeting and interacting with all of the business owners. To this day, Phil still has clients ask him how his father is doing because they remember Dad so fondly. Amazingly, Herb worked until he was 90.

During Herb's career in the Air Force, he met his wife of 66 years, Dorothy, who had also attended Hall High School and grew up in West Hartford. They had two sons, Philip and Steven and made a great life raising their family in Simsbury and spending summers at a cottage they built in Old Saybrook. Fond memories were made at the beach, fishing, waterskiing, and tubing on their boat as well as the festive Labor Day Picnics with family and friends over the course of 65+ years in Old Saybrook.

Herb was the most proud of the family he had helped shape. He was very fond of his daughter-in-laws, Cindy and Sabrina, saying that they were the "daughters he never had". His newest source of joy was his four granddaughters: Brittany, Brooke, Rachel, and Makayla. Over the past 28 years, he watched them grow into amazing women and spent much time with them on holidays, watching their games as well as many vacations spent with them.

Herb enjoyed sports, especially the Red Sox and Patriots but most of all he loved his UConn women's basketball, and he never missed a game. He loved family get-togethers and celebrating the holidays with family. He loved traveling, including memorable trips with family to Bermuda, Europe, and many cruise vacations. He was the greatest father and grandfather that anyone could ask for and will be dearly missed. We love you Dad.

Calling hours will be Friday 3/22/24 at Swan Funeral Home in Old Saybrook from 1-4pm with a service at 3:30 pm.