David S. Thomson

David S. Thomson, 88, formerly of Algonquin Drive in Middletown, died Wednesday, Nov. 8 in Richmond, Virginia. He was the husband of the late Mary Elizabeth (Silva) Thomson, father of the late Michael A. Thomson and brother of the late Rev. Peter W. Thomson. Born in New York City on February 28, 1929, he was the son of the late David Macnaughton Thomson and the late Annie Margaret (Shewan) Thomson and grew up in Woodhaven, Queens. His first job was at Woodhaven's King Kullen grocery store when he was 14.Following the death of his mother when he was 15, Mr. Thomson remained active in school and community events, and took responsibility for the care of his younger brother, Peter. In his youth he served as class president, earned the rank of Eagle Scout and later served as Scoutmaster of Troop 154 at Forest Park Reformed Church, where he was also a member of the basketball team. An Electrical Engineering graduate of the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn, he also earned a Master of Science degree in Engineering Administration from Case Institute of Technology in Cleveland, Ohio. He served as an officer in the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1955 during the Korean War, with service aboard the U.S.S. Samuel B. Roberts DD-823 and later at the Bureau of Ordnance in Washington, D.C. He received an honorary retirement as Lieutenant, U.S.N.R. in 1955.In Cleveland, he worked at Brush Electronics Company (in production of Mk 43 Mod 1 torpedoes for the U.S. Navy) and Electric Products Co., a manufacturer of large rotating electrical machinery, motors and generators. He joined Raytheon's Submarine Signal Division in Portsmouth as a sales manager for airborne sonars and later transferred to Engineering, where he was a Program Manager for the technical development of three generations of sonar systems for U.S. Navy attack-class submarines (AN/BQQ-1, AN/BQS-13, AN/BQR-24). He retired with 31 years of service in March 1991.In retirement he volunteered at Newport Hospital and was a member of the Newport Hospital Auxiliary. Mr. Thomson and his wife Mary Beth worked as a team to install Lifeline communication systems in the homes of elderly and disabled clients. He participated in competitive shooting sports and was a member of the Newport Rifle Club and the Fall River Rod and Gun Club. He and his wife enjoyed many international trips, as well as Cape Cod vacations in North Truro and Provincetown.Mr. Thomson lived in Middletown from 1960 until 2015, when he moved to Richmond following the death of his wife. He made the most of the time he spent in his new "hometown," and enjoyed competitive card games with the Richmond Cribbage Club, activities and outings with his Lunch Bunch, and exploring the Richmond area's scenic attractions, craft breweries and music performances.Left to cherish his memory and gentle wit are two sons, William D. Thomson of Richmond, and his wife Michelle; Andrew G. Thomson of Bristol, and his wife Paula; six grandchildren, Jennifer, Victoria, David, Elizabeth, Angie and Carlos; and two great grandchildren, Collin and Tessa.Calling hours will be held on Saturday, November 25 from 9:00-10:30 a.m. at Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway in Newport. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. in Jesus Saviour Church, 509 Broadway in Newport. Burial with Military Honors will follow at St. Columba Cemetery in Middletown, followed by a luncheon reception.In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101-9929. Cemetery Details St. Columba Catholic Cemetery 465 Browns Lane Middletown, RI, 02842 Mass of Christian Burial NOV 25. 11:00 AM Jesus Saviour Catholic Church 1 Vernon Avenue Newport, RI, US, 02840