Thompson

Raymond J. Thompson, also known as “Ray” and “Ozzie,” 75, of Harmony died at the VNA Hospice in Butler on Wednesday with his family at his side.

He was born in Ellwood City on July 12, 1936. He was preceded in death by his mother, Louise Wolfe Thompson; his father, Harold Ray Frazier; and his stepfather, Gerald S. Thompson.

An only child, he graduated from Zelienople High School in 1953. He entered the U.S. Air Force in 1954 and started writing to a very special pen pal while in the service. Their first date was Oct. 13, 1960, when the Pittsburgh Pirates won their third World Series. He ended up marrying his pen pal, Mary Ann Magill, on June 23, 1962.

Raymond was a freelance photographer taking pictures for the various newspapers including the Butler Eagle, the News Weekly, the Cranberry Journal and the Pittsburgh Press. He also covered sporting events at the Seneca Valley School District, took class pictures for St. Gregory Elementary School and was a member of the National Press Photographers Association. He won various photography awards including 30 Keystone Press awards and Golden Quill awards.

His hobbies included metal detecting and taking his sons fishing. He even started the first Honda Goldwing Motorcycle Club in Butler County. He found the joy of riding again later in his life when he became the proud owner of a Vespa scooter. Mr. Thompson was a lifelong member of the St. Gregory Catholic Church.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Magill Thompson; his daughter, Teresa Thompson Sackett, married to Vic Sackett, of West Alexander, Pa.; his daughter, Renea Thompson Wise, married to Phil Wise, of Carrolton, Va.; his son, Thomas Thompson of Zelienople; his daughter, Raylene Thompson Dufresne, married to Chadd Dufresne, of Silver Spring, Md.; and his son, Mike Thompson, married to Melissa Takach Thompson, of Pittsburgh. He also has two very special grandchildren, Connor Wise, 26 months, and Jessie Dufresne, 21 months.

Raymond touched the lives of many people with his smile and sense of humor all the way to the end.

<B>THOMPSON</B> — Friends of Raymond J. Thompson, who died on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012, will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the <B>Boylan Funeral Home</B>, 324 E. Grandview Ave., Zelienople.A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at the St. Gregory Catholic Church, Zelienople with Father William Dorner officiating. A reception will be in the St. Gregory Parish Blue Room following the Mass.The family suggests donations in memory of Raymond J. Thompson be made to either the St. Gregory Parish, 2 W. Beaver St., Zelienople, PA 16063, 724-452-7245, or the wonderful staff who provided such personal care for Raymond and his family in his time of need at VNA Hospice, 115 Technology Drive, Butler, PA 16001, 877-862-6659.For online condolences and directions, visit www.boylanfuneralhome.com.