Published in the November 25, 2016 edition
MILTON — George Miller Thompson Jr., 91, died peacefully on Nov. 11.
A member of the “Greatest Generation,” it is fitting he passed on Veterans’ Day. George, a member of the Army’s 90th Infantry Division (the “Tough Ombres”), was part of the D-Day invasion and fought at the Battle of the Bulge. He helped liberate Flossenburg Concentration Camp, and was a recipient of the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and the French Legion Medal of Honor awarded to him personally by French President Sarkozy.
He leaves behind his cherished wife of 58 years, Anne Flanagan Thompson; his daughters, Beth Boggs and husband Jack of Houston, Texas, Faith Thompson and husband John Hunnewell of Dunellen, N.J. and Kara Russo and husband Richard of Milton. Also survived by eight grandchildren: Rachel, William, Kevin, Abigail, George, Christopher, Grace and Laurel Anne; two sisters, Phyllis Chagnon and Charlotte Nault and many nieces and nephews.
Raised in Everett and Melrose, he was the son of Eva and George Miller Thompson Sr. and is predeceased by his sisters Priscilla Thompson, Elinor Gately and Barbara Granger.
George and Anne settled into Anne’s home town and made Milton their home in 1958, raised their three daughters and immersed themselves in the town’s history and politics.
He was most proud of his 40 years of perfect attendance serving as a Milton Town Meeting member and working alongside Anne for 30 years instilling a love of local history in Milton school children by either dressing as patriot Daniel Vose or giving tours of the Lincoln Cabin and Milton Powder House. If you ask any of the now grown fifth graders they will tell you their fondest memory of the Milton tours was holding the Civil War muskets at the Powder House with Mr. Thompson.
George was an active member of Boston Local 12 Plumbers and Pipefitters Union, the 90th Division Association, Milton Historical Society and the Blue Bell Tavern Society. A parishioner at St. Elizabeth’s, he was a church lector and Eucharistic Minister.
Visitation was held at the Alfred Thomas Funeral Home, 326 Granite Ave. in Milton on Thursday, Nov. 18, from 4 to 7 p.m. Funeral was from the funeral home on Friday at 10:30 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Elizabeth Church, 350 Reedsdale Rd., in Milton at 11:30 a.m. Interment with military honors at Milton Cemetery in Milton.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to: Harvey’s Salt Water Club Veterans Fund, attn. Cheryl Cowan, 48 Crosby St., Quincy MA 02169 or John Adams Healthcare Activity Fund, 211 Franklin St., Quincy MA 02169.
