Obituary of Harry J. Thompson, Jr.

Harry John “Butch” Thompson, Jr., 72, of Speigletown, beloved husband for 52 years to Rita Louise LaPlante Thompson of Speigletown, peacefully entered into eternal life surrounded by his family in the comfort of his home on Sunday, January 3, 2021. Born in Troy, New York, he was the son of the late Harry J. and Muriel Gallagher Thompson, Sr. and was a graduate of Mechanicville High School. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War from 1968 to 1970 and was awarded National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea), Good Conduct Medal, Army Expert Marksmanship Badge (M-14) as well as his Honorable Discharge. Butch retired in 2005 from General Electric in Schenectady where he was a Wireman and had been employed for 35 years where he served as IUE-301 Shop Steward for 25 years. Butch loved to travel, watching his grandchildren participate in many activities, riding around in "his little red” with his honey, painting, the ocean, fishing and most important being with family. Beloved husband of Rita, devoted father of Nicole Courter (Scott) of Speigletown, New York, Jennifer Beaulac (David) of Schaghticoke, New York, Rebekah Clark (Jason) of Prior Lake, MN and Harry J. Thompson, III (Amanda) of Clifton Park, New York, cherished grandfather of Amanda Kelly (Brian), Zachary Courter (Kayla), Justyn Beaulac, Jaden Clark, Hannah Thompson, Matthew Thompson, Charlotte Clark, Carter Thompson and Sierra Thompson, adored great grandfather of Brady Kelly and Maddelyn Kelly, brother of Mary Lou & Bill Murray, of Ocala FL, Suzanne & David Scott of Stillwater, NY, Emmaleen & Tom Oliver of Elgin, TX, Leatrice Coonradt and James W. Leary, Jr. of Saratoga Springs, NY, Shirley and James Freebern of North Port, FL, David J. and Sheryl Thompson of Stillwater, NY, Kathleen and Jeff Medlock of Bedford, IN, Jude Thompson of FL and the late John Jack Thompson, Wayne M Thompson and Margaret Thompson, brother-in-law of Marilyn (LaPlante) Cioffi of Denville, NJ, Martina (LaPlante)Von Fricken of Malta, NY, Susan (LaPlante) and Brian Dinon of Redington Shores, FL, Robin (LaPlante) and Michael O’Connell of Albany, NY, Tricia LaPlante of Brunswick, NY, Patricia Gail Mendel of Loudonville, NY and the late Donald Cioffi, Jack Von Fricken, and George LaPlante. Also survived by several nieces and nephews. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial in-person for the immediate family only for up to 50 in attendance will be celebrated on Thursday, January 7, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Augustine’s Church, 25-115th Street in Lansingburgh. For those not able to attend his Mass in person, you are able to view the live stream by pasting the following address into your web browser https://www.youtube.com/c/StAugustinesParishTroyNY where his Mass will be available for viewing for up to 24 hours following the Mass. Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the John J. Sanvidge Funeral Home, Inc., 565 Fourth Avenue (at the corner of 115th Street in Lansingburgh), Troy, NY 12182 on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Facial covering (mask), six foot social distancing must be adhered to both inside and outside of the funeral home where there are capacity limitations. Hand sanitizer is available in the funeral home. Interment with military honors for up to 50 persons will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 7, 2021 at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville. In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make memorial contributions to The Community Hospice, Gifts Processing Center, 310 S. Manning Blvd., Albany, NY 12208, in memory of Harry J. Thompson, Jr. Please view the Video Memorial tribute or express your on-line Condolences by visiting those tabs at sanvidgefuneralhome.com