BRIDGTON — Frederick R. Thompson Sr., 83, passed peacefully on May 23 at his home, where he lived with his son Tony and his fiancée Laura J. McCabe. Fred fought a long battle with cancer. He was born October 24, 1928 to Arthur and Sadie Thompson. Friends of “Tink,” Fred, remember him as being mechanically-inclined. As a young man Fred worked in the woods, logging in Waterford and Bridgton. Fred was always kind and gentle with his family and friends. A kind of friend anyone would want. Fred worked for Burnham Bros. in Naples for many years, operating heavy equipment. Fred retired from Burnham Bros. Many people, still to this day, say no one could put a grade on the soil like Fred. Many roads we drive on today, Fred was responsible for forming.

In 1957 Fred married Elsie V. Bean of Waterford, they just celebrated 54 years of marriage. Fred enjoyed hunting and fishing with his sons and grandchildren. Fred has one surviving brother, Irving Thompson. He was preceded by five sisters. In 1985 Fred’s oldest son, William Thompson, “Wink,” passed away due to a motorcycle accident.

He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and most important, a friend. Fred will be sadly missed by his wife, Elsie Thompson; his sons and their families: Tony Thompson and his fiancée Laura J. McCabe of Bridgton, Jeff Thompson of Bridgton, Frederick Jr. and his wife Ramona of Bridgton, James Thompson and his wife Marilyn of Naples, David Thompson and his wife Cheryl of Norway; grandchildren: Amanda Richardson, Becky Ferguson, Rachel Thompson, Megan Thompson, Shauny Thompson, Corey Thompson, Carly Thompson, Julia Thompson, Tonya Thompson, David Thompson Jr., and Koryn Thompson Spinks. Fred was loved by many nieces and nephew and great-grandchildren.

A graveside ceremony will be held on Thursday, June 2 at 2 p.m. at Forest Hills Annex Cemetery on Kansas Road in Bridgton. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Hospice of Southern Maine or the National Association of Cancer Research. Arrangements are under the direction of Raymond-Wentworth Funeral Home, 8 Elm St., Bridgton. Online condolences may be shared with his family at www.chandlerfunerals.com