Donald Edward Thompson

Donald Edward Thompson, age 85, passed away on July 13, 2024. Born in New York, New York in 1938, he was a graduate of St John’s University. A veteran of the United States Army, Donald served in the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Shield & Desert Storm. He was awarded numerous military recommendations, medals and ribbons. He retired from the Army in 1998. Donald was a transportation expert having run a family trucking business and Sgt First Class in the US Army Transportation Corp, and finally found his ideal career and a wonderful group of friends as a New York State employee. The Thompson family is forever grateful to the kindness, love and care his Albany friends provided Donald. Donald was a professional and traveled extensively, always living in New York until 2018 when he moved to Michigan. Donald is well remembered for his dry sense of humor, history acumen, deep love and knowledge of New York's docks, rails and roads. He was a true transportation professional with a fondness for donuts and a willingness to discuss 'all things’ history and industry. He was "that" uncle, that kids would be willing to get up ‘very' early with for a drive to the local donut store. An avid New York Times reader and always wanting to be globally aware, he readily made acquaintances and loved learning. Lastly, he was a walking tribute to the American medical community (on Long Island NY, in Albany NY and Ann Arbor, MI) having recovered well from back surgery, heart surgery, an aorta repair, and treated for lymphoma. His family is forever grateful to all the medical professionals who cared for Dad. He will be missed. Surviving are his children, Donald (Debbie), Kathleen (Larry) Quick and Brendan (Kim), his four grandchildren, Ryan Quick, Colleen (Ryan) Aponte, Conor and Layne Thompson, and his great grandchildren Ava and Harper, along with his many cousins, friends, former colleagues, and compatriots. His burial will be held at Calverton National Cemetery in NY on Thursday, July 18th at 10:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. To share a memory, please use the share a memory tab on this webpage.

Donald Edward Thompson

September 29, 1938 - July 13, 2024