John Thompson
1927-2019
Thompson, A.E.
John B.Comm, C.A., Philosophical
Accountant
March 24, 1927 – November 5, 2019
Predeceased by his beloved spouse, Lois (McDougall), just
before their 59th wedding anniversary, special friend, Marjorie Scott,
and beloved daughter, Criss. Survived with love by his children, Lynn,
Doug, and Jamie (Libby), and grandchildren Duncan (Hannah), Chester,
Celeste Hennelly (Kevin), Islay Fitzgerald (Liam), Rosalie (Troy), and
Faryn (Jamo), and great grandchildren, Blake and Caden Hennelly, and
in-laws, Avon MacFarlane and Elaine MacNeill. Fondly remembered also
by his friends in The Elliott Community, Guelph, Ontario, who refer to
John as «a center of affection» and «a stabilizing
influence in the community.»
Arthur Edgar John Thompson grew up in the village of
Brooklin, Ontario, attended Victoria College at the University of
Toronto, where he met Lois on the tennis courts. With the
encouragement of his father, John became a Chartered Accountant with
Price Waterhouse in Toronto. With his growing interest in tax policy,
John and Lois made the move to Ottawa with their young family, where
he held senior positions with the Royal Commission on Taxation, and
later, with the Department of Finance. John took part in the major tax
reforms of 1972 which included (to the dismay of some friends!) the
taxation of capital gains. Many wonderful years in Ottawa with their
young family, including happy summers at their cottage on Otty
Lake.
After a year-long sabbatical in Cambridge, MA, there was an
exciting move to Oakville in 1977 when John returned to tax practice
as a partner with Coopers & Lybrand (Toronto). John continued
consulting on tax policy, including the then-new GST. In Oakville, he
and Lois made many great friends, which included tennis and comradery
at the Oakville Club.
Inspired by retirement in 1989, John and Lois relocated to
Victoria, BC, where they became involved in SAGE research and
discussion groups, which John claimed were the best kind of education
he’d ever had. John’s passion for learning
continued when he helped to establish Peer Learning Groups in Guelph.
To be closer to grandchildren in Toronto, he and Lois moved to Guelph
in 1994.
With his deep and inquiring mind, John became quite a
prolific writer in his later years, and referred to himself as a
Philosophical Accountant. He self-published two books, Touchstones for
Living, in which he set out his basic thoughts on human existence
(accompanied by his favourite photographs), and Mysteries of Life,
that explored the importance of spiritual evolution, relating his
ideas to Christianity.
In addition to his life-long passion for photography, his
other favourite pastimes were camping, canoeing, tennis, badminton,
bridge, and singing in the Guelph Men’s Club Choir. And, of
course, crokinole!
During the challenging years as Lois was gradually overcome
by Alzheimer’s, John was grateful for the love and support
from his family and friends, including Marjorie Scott and her family.
Thanks to the nursing staff and doctors at Guelph General Hospital.
John’s family expresses their deep appreciation to the
wonderful staff of The Elliott Community for their loving care of Lois
and John over many years since 2006.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 23,
2019 at The Elliott Community Chapel at 170 Metcalfe Street, Guelph,
ON N1E 4Y3. John’s family welcomes you to arrive and visit
1:30-2:30, celebrate with tributes and music 2:30-3:30 and stay
afterward for refreshments 3:30-4:30 pm.
Arrangements entrusted to the GILCHRIST CHAPEL
– McIntyre & Wilkie Funeral Home, One Delhi
Street, Guelph. Contributions may be made in
memory of John to The Elliott Community, Dublin Street United Church
(Guelph), The Alzheimer Society of Canada, or Project Ploughshares,
and would be appreciated. We invite you to leave your memories and
donations online at: www.gilchristchapel.com and they will
be forwarded to the family.
19272019
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de John Thompson 19272019..
Décès pour la Ville:Guelph, Province: Ontario