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BY JOHN SNYDER
OF PASCACK PRESS
TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON, N.J.—The Washington Township Fire Department conveyed life member and former chief Robert Thompson Sr. to his final resting place in style on Oct. 6, leading a multi-agency procession from the funeral at Our Lady of Good Counsel to burial at George Washington Cemetery in Paramus.
The route took Thompson, 88, a 62-year member of the WTFD, past the home on Hickory Street he shared with his first wife, Catherine, before her passing; past the firehouse; and past the West Place home he shared with his second wife, Juliana.
At the cemetery, he was met by Paramus and River Edge fire trucks, which hoisted a huge American Flag at the gates, denoting a proper fireman’s burial.
Paramus police escorted the procession through.
Thompson, a five-time president of the department and a past president of the Pascack Valley Fire Chiefs Association, died peacefully Oct. 2.
He was predeceased by his first wife, Catherine Thompson (nee Smithlin) in 1993. He is survived by his wife, Juliana, and his children Teri A. (Vito) Bocchino, of Staten Island, N.Y.; Robert E. (Denise) Thompson Jr., of Paramus; Timothy F. (Diane) Thompson Sr. of the Township of Washington; Julie Keating of the Township of Washington; Christine (Tom) Sullivan of Hillsdale; brothers Charles of Chicago and Donald of Las Vegas; 14 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren.
He retired from the U.S. Postal Service after 37 years. He retired as postmaster of the Dumont Post Office, as well as a volunteer firefighter of the Township of Washington for over 60 years. He also served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, 1952 to 1954.
The family received their guests at Becker Funeral Home in Westwood, on Thursday, Oct. 4 and Friday, Oct. 5.
His son Tim told Pascack Press that “He lived a full life and he is missed but he did have a full life.”
There had been speculation that Thompson’s casket would pass Memorial Field, where the Family Fall Festival was in progress, but it was agreed that with the township, Montvale, and River Edge fire departments leading the way, the procession was too large.
Thompson’s daughter-in-law Diane told Pascack Press that the firefighter brotherhood was at Becker Funeral Home for all the wakes, standing guard at his casket, as well as on the final burial day.
“Our family was greeted by a display of his framed fireman’s jacket, which was a tribute presented to him two years ago for his 60 years of service at that time. He went on to serve an additional two years,” she said.
She added, “He made my son’s wedding on June 15. He made the opening speech at the wedding and led us all in prayer, blessing the meal.”
Thompson was a past firehouse chaplain, fire inspector, and Planning Board member.
Bunting will grace the firehouse for the rest of the month—Fire Prevention Month, coincidentally—in Thompson’s honor, she said.
“There were a couple of firemen at the station waiting for the procession to pass by. Some of the firemen and their wives were there setting up for a repast luncheon they hosted for our family,” she added.
Thompson’s father, John, was a lifelong fireman, serving River Edge, and that town’s police station is named for him. John’s wife, Nona, served on the women’s auxiliary. The River Edge firehouse is named for her.
“I thought this was a fantastic example for our young residents to see the importance of serving their towns and country. This is volunteerism to the fullest! He was truly a dedicated resident, friend, firefighter, husband, parent, grandfather, and great-grandfather too,” Diane said.
In lieu of flowers, well wishers are asked to donate to the Hospice Care of Hackensack or the Township of Washington Volunteer Fire Department.