Samuel J. Thompson, Jr.

Samuel J. Thompson, Jr., 93 passed from this life on December 28, 2023, while sleeping peacefully at Ellis Hospital, Schenectady, with his stepson, David Smith, at his bedside.

Samuel was born in Schenectady, the youngest of the four children of Emily (Hobbs) and Samuel J. Thompson. He was a graduate of Nott Terrace High School (where he was a member of the ski team), attended Middlebury College, and graduated from the business school of Bryant College, Smithfield, RI.

Sam later earned a Masters Degree in Education from SUNY Oneonta, and taught Math at Oneida Jr. High and Linton High School (now Schenectady HS) for more than 30 years before joining his wife in retirement in 1989.

Through his middle years Sam continued skiing recreationally and enjoyed golf and bowling, including league play, and contract bridge with friends and his wife of 56 years Dorothy ("Dot'). In addition to their sports activities, Sam and Dot loved to travel, making many cross country automobile trips and tours of Alaska, Argentina, Venezuela and Europe (Ireland, Scotland, Italy, Greece, Norway, Sweden and Denmark). Their favorite foreign adventure was a 3-week trip (via Japan) to China with one of the very first American tourist groups allowed to enter the country.


Sam served for many years as Treasurer and Board member at First New York Federal Credit Union (formerly Schenectady Teachers FCU). He also belonged to the Lions Club. As a lifelong member of Eastern Parkway United Methodist Church, Sam often assisted with some financial matters.

After living more than 25 years in their house on Crescent Road across from Niskayuna High School, Sam and Dot downsized to a Glenville apartment where they lived until moving to Kingsway Village in 2017.

Sam is survived by his stepson, David Smith (Tina) of Surfside Beach, SC, grandson Courtney Russell Smith (Chia) and great granddaughters Harmony and Bella Smith all of Ridgewood, NY, and his beloved nieces Donna Weaver Finck, Nancy Germain Smith (Steve), Giselle Germain Gibbs (Bob), Trilby Germain, Susan Germain Pina (Jeff), and nephews Al Germain (Peg), Brian Germain (Debby), Bradford Germain (Bev), Kirk Weaver (Jonna), Bruce Weaver (Francine), and Wayne Weaver.

He was predeceased by his sisters Katherine Weaver (Don), Harriet "Tommie" Germain (Ron) and her twin brother Harwood Thompson who lost his life in the Korean War.

Funeral services will be private. A "Celebration of Life" service will be held at Eastern Parkway Methodist Church on Saturday, January 20th at 11 a.m. with luncheon to follow.