Carol Thompson, wife of former MPK Village Mayor Robert Thompson

by Carolyn James

Carol Thompson and her husband Bob moved to Massapequa Park Village in 1963 and the couple quickly became an integral part of the community. Bob Thompson Sr., served as Mayor of the Village from 1975 to 1985, and Carol was described by family and friends as the source of his strength and his "guiding light.

"She was always busy behind the scenes," said the couple’s daughter, Kathy Messina of St. James. "Mom was full of class and dignity and the backbone of our family."

Carol Thompson, 65, died at her home Tuesday, August 19 following a battle against cancer that began in May of this year.

"She was very committed to her family and to her community," said the couple’s son, Robert Jr.

Mrs. Thompson was born Carol Daus in Bay Ridge. A graduate of The Mary Louis Academy in Jamaica Estates, she attended business school after graduating from high school. She met her husband when both became members of a local bowling league. The couple were married September 5, 1959.

Mrs. Thompson worked as a customer service representative and then as assistant manager at United Mutual, which later became American Savings Bank. She retired about ten years ago and, once again, worked side by side with her husband as he became active in the AARP.

She was also a longtime member of Our Lady of Lourdes R.C. Church where she served at one time as president of the Rosary Society.

"She was a fastidious worker who attended to every detail," said Joan Olton, a longtime friend and former President of the Rosary Society. "It was because of the attention she paid to every aspect of what she did that made the difference."

Always smiling and meticulously groomed, Mrs. Thompson served on the OLL school board, was parish council president and taught catechism classes.

While her work for the community was important to her, caring for her family was clearly her passion, said her children. A great cook, she made every holiday special said her son and her daughter said she was always there to listen and offer sound advice.

"No matter what decision we made in life, she was always there to back us up," said her daughter.

Mrs. Thompson is survived by her husband Robert and their children, Robert Sr. of Massapequa, and his wife Judy; Kathy Messina of St. James and her husband Arthur; Jeanne DiPresso of Smithtown and her husband Raymond, and Patricia Pomerance of Commack and her husband Andrew. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Robert, Kaitlin, Michael and Jennifer Thompson, Andrew, Kristin and Ryan Messina, Conrad and Shannon Pomerance and Steven, Brianna and Victoria Di Presso.

Mrs. Thompson reposed at the Massapequa Funeral Home, Park and Clark boulevards, Massapequa Park. A funeral mass was said in Our Lady of Lourdes, Friday, August 22. Interment followed in Grace Cemetery, Massapequa.

"She was my best friend, my whole world," said her husband.