ELDON RAY THOMPSON

With great sadness, the family of Eldon Thompson announces his passing on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009 at La Verendrye General Hospital in Fort Frances, Ont. after an eight-year battle with cancer.
Eldon was born June 10, 1930 in Osage, Sask., and in his early years moved to Ontario. He was the youngest child of Grace and Ray Thompson.
Eldon was predeceased by his parents, Grace and Ray Thompson; sisters, Lucille and Audrey; brothers, George and Bob; daughter, Bonnie; brothers-in-law, Lloyd and Tom; and sister-in-law, Audrey.
Eldon is leaving behind his partner of 40 years, Fern “Ma” Thompson and their daughter, Donalda (Len) Allen; his first wife, Jean Steele, and their children, Vernon (Doreen) Thompson, Clarence (Judy) Thompson, Mike Thompson, Cindy (Darren) Westover, and Wendy (Jim) Galusha,; his brother, Milo Thompson; 17 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and all of his adopted kids, who called him Pa or Dad, and he was often asked, “Just how many kids do you have?”
Also surviving are his sisters-in-law, Doreen and Dorothy; many nieces and nephews, who will miss “Uncle Chuck;” and special friends, Mike and Mary Lou.
Dad had many jobs he enjoyed through the years, operating bars and bartending, diamond drilling, carpentry, operating a tourist camp, and most recently working at Busch’s until his retirement seven years ago.
Eldon enjoyed spending time with his friends and family, and he loved telling a good story or hearing a good joke. Anyone who knew him considered him a friend.
 If you needed help with anything, he would do what he could to help, even if that meant playing “bartender.”
A celebration of Eldon’s life will be held Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009 from 2-4 p.m. in the downstairs lounge at the Royal Canadian Legion Br. #29 in Fort Frances.
Come and share your stories and memories of Eldon, and have some laughs just the way he would want it.
As Eldon would have expected, please dress casual. He wouldn’t want anyone to have to be uncomfortable on his account.
Should family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the Fort Frances “Friends of Animals Foundation,” P.O. Box 545, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8 or c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
Online condolences may be made offered at www.mem.com