Obituary of Stephen Thomson

AGE: 85 • Mine Hill Stephen Thomson, 85, of Mine Hill, died Monday, June 6, 2011 at St. Clare's Dover General Hospital in Dover after a short illness. He was born on April 4, 1926 in Groveland, California. His parents were John and Margaret (nee Stephen) Thomson. He was the owner of the Benson Thomson Agency in Dover, retiring in 2010 after 60 years with the firm. Stephen graduated from Dover High School in 1944, where he was the Morris County mile run champion in 1944. Following graduation he worked with John Wehman and Company, municipal accountants, in Morristown. He was drafted in 1946 serving as a Sergeant in the US Army Air Corps as a weatherman. After being discharged in 1947, he returned to John Wehman and Company before joining Oscar Benson Real Estate and Insurance, Dover, in 1950. In 1960, the firm became Benson Thomson Agency, Inc. Stephen also served as both the Mine Hill Township Treasurer and Custodian of School Funds from 1948 to 1976. He was a member of the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of New Jersey and America. Stephen was active in youth sports, coaching several of his children's teams and supporting the Dover High School Cross Country and Track programs. Stephen received several recognitions for his community service, including Dover Rotary Citizen of the Year in 1988, the Dover Area Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award in 1993, the George F. Hixson medal from the Dover Kiwanis in 1998, and induction into the Dover High School Hall of Fame in 1999. Stephen was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Anna (nee Babisky). He is survived by his children, son, Alan of Seneca, SC and his wife Brenda, daughter, Gale Klatte of Randolph (wife of the late Joseph), son, David of Bethlehem, PA and his wife Wendy, and son, Jay and his wife, Mary Jo of Randolph. He is survived by eight grandchildren, Heather, Ian, Gregory and Lauren Klatte, Sarah, Abigail, Robert and Margaret, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Stephen is also survived by his brother, Jack and his wife Blanche of Mine Hill, sister-in-law, Dorothy of Wharton, and was predeceased by his brother, Norman. A Memorial Mass will be held Saturday, June 25th, 2011 at 1:00 P.M. at St. Matthew the Apostle R.C. Church, 335 Dover-Chester Road, Randolph, NJ 07869 (973-584-1101). In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Stephen's memory to the Dover Kiwanis Club with "Scholarship Fund" on the memo line of checks, sent c/o 15 North Morris St., Dover, NJ 07801. Arrangements by Tuttle Funeral Home, Randolph (www.tuttlefh.com).