Thompson, James P.
1946-2021
James “Jim” Patrick Thompson, of Farmington, CT, and Vero Beach, FL, died peacefully at home surrounded by his family, on Sunday, August 22, following an extended illness and a life well-lived.
Son of Gertrude and Frank Thompson and younger brother to Joan (O'Neill), Jim was born in Appleton, Wisconsin, on April 30, 1946. After living in Whitefish Bay, his family moved East and settled in South Egremont, Massachusetts. Jim enjoyed his role as a radio announcer for WSBS in Great Barrington while attending Mt. Everett Regional High School, where he graduated in 1964. High school was also where he met Nancy (Pekrul), the love of his life and devoted wife of over 53 years
After graduating from the University of Massachusetts in 1968, Jim and Nancy settled in Connecticut, starting his career at Arthur Andersen. He moved on to build lifelong friendships as Treasurer at Kollmorgen until
1990. Around this time, Jim chose to pursue his passion, System Dynamics. He studied at MIT and earned his Ph.D. from the University of Strathclyde, Scotland. Jim's drive to make a difference in the world led him to focus on the development of computer-aided health systems models, locally at Cigna and around the globe, serving the World Bank, the Governments of Indonesia, and Bangladesh, and at the Graduate Medical School of the Duke-National University of Singapore. A life-long learner, Jim enjoyed sharing new insights and contributing to research as an active member of the System Dynamics Society and as an adjunct professor and student advisor at Central Connecticut State University and Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Jim proudly served in multiple roles at St. James Episcopal Church in Farmington for over fifty years. He served on local boards and was a prolific blood donor to the American Red Cross. World travelers, Jim and Nancy's most fond memories include tours of France with friends and adventures in and around Southeast Asia. An avid reader and intellectual with a witty sense of humor to match, Jim enjoyed hiking, kayaking and golf, gourmet cooking- the spicier, the better, watercolor painting, attending the symphony and theatre, and faithfully cheering on the UCONN women's basketball
team, and the Boston Red Sox. More than anything, Jim cherished his deep and loving relationships with family and friends, rooted in shared experience and nurtured through ongoing correspondence.
He leaves behind his wife, Nancy, his sister, Joan (Charles), daughters, Julie (Paul), Jennifer (fiancé, George), grandchildren Lila, Justin, Vivian, and Sophie; Nancy's brothers and sister; many nephews and nieces; and countless wonderful and dear friends from school, the workplace, church, neighbors and the Fellowship. Jim's family would like to thank UCONN physicians, Drs. Katz, Ibrahim, Ryan, and Metersky for their care over the years and are grateful to the Farmington Valley VNA Hospice team for their compassionate care.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, September 11th at St. James Episcopal Church, 3 Mountain Rd., Farmington. Gifts in his name may be made to St. James Episcopal Church,3 Mountain Rd, Farmington, CT 06032.
Arrangements are being handled by The Ahern Funeral Homes, Inc. To send online condolences to the family, please visit www.ahernfuneralhome.com.
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