Earl Thompson

Sadly, my dad, Earl Thompson, passed away suddenly yesterday. He hadn't been ill and had always lived independently. He would have been 90 in January. He remembered his PERI years fondly- loved every posting (especially CFS Lac St. Denis) , and could always remember every line he played hockey on, every hole he golfed, everyone he played any sport with, or coached, or took a course with, and usually where in Canada they were from!! (His memory and stories were legendary!!)  . He will be sadly missed.

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Earl "Sonny" Howe Thompson, age 89, of Sackville, N.B.  Earl passed away at home, in his Tantramar Cottage, on Tuesday, December 10, 2024.  

He was born in Sunnybrae, N.B.,on January 27, 1935, to the late Earle and Rose (Blakney) Thompson.

Earl served in the Canadian Military (Navy) for 25 years as a PERI (Physical Education and Recreation Instructor) and was a lifetime member of the Royal Canadian Legion.

He was a natural athlete, whose life work was sport.  It included participating in, coaching, refereeing, umpiring,  as well as leading clinics to train others to do the same.  He organized tournaments, both competitive and non-competitive, as well as fun events, such as legendary Winter Carnivals.  His energy, skills and sense of fun touched the lives of countless kids and kids-at-heart, as well as Olympic and professional athletes.  For a decade, he ran the Toronto Maples Leafs and Buffalo Sabres training camps.  

Upon retiring from the military, he spent 15 years as Sports Administrator for the Town of Port Hope and subsequently as Recreation Director at Trinity College School. 

In 1994, Sonny returned home to Sackville.  He became deeply involved in Sackville minor hockey and the youth and senior golf leagues.  In 2018, he was inducted  (in the Builder category)  to the Sackville Sports Wall of Fame. He was immensely proud of this recognition.  

He will be dearly missed by his wife Eleanor (Hinxman), formerly of Digby, N.S; his children: Sheralee (David) Hedden, Sherwood Park AB, Janet (Gary) Wright, Drayton Valley, AB, and Peter (Thea) Thompson, Cambridge, NS., his grandchildren, Carly, Becky, Maggie, Amy and Kevin,and his great-grandsons, Charlie, Fallon and Sidney.

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