Thomas Simpson

ROCHESTER—Thomas J. Simpson, 87, died Monday, Feb. 18, 2008 at his home in Rochester.

He was born June 17, 1920 in Kane, Ill., the son of Charles and Margaret (McFain) Simpson.

He attended Kane and Jerseyville (Ill.) schools and graduated from Jerseyville High School in 1939. He served as a Lieutenant j.g. in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He married Eleanor Kinsman April 1, 1944 in Windsor.

He worked for W. H. Campbell & Co. in Rochester for 17 years. He was Vermont’s first plumbing inspector. He later worked as a rural mail carrier for several years and served as Rochester’s Postmaster for seven years, until retiring in 1982. He had also been a deputy game warden for 10 years.

He was a member of the Rochester Federated Church, a Past Master of the Rochester Rural Lodge #29 F&AM, a charter and life member of the VFW Howard Perry Post #765 and a member of the National Rural Mail Carriers Assn. He had served as Justice of the Peace and was a special officer. He enjoyed reading and fixing and building things.

Survivors include his wife, Eleanor Simpson of Rochester; three sons: Thomas Simpson of Rochester, Charles Simpson of Franklin, Maine, and James Simpson of Burlington; four daughters: Carolyn Holden of Whitehall, N.Y., Judith Olsen of Hancock, Linda Lavalette of Shelburne, and Melody Simpson of Charleston, W. Va.; a sister, Minnie Perkins of Greenfield, Ill.; 13 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to VNA & Hospice of Vt. & N.H., PO Box 976, White River Jct., Vt. 05001; or Valley Rescue, PO Box 131, Rochester, Vt. 05767.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Day Funeral Home of Randolph.

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