Obituary of Donald Thompson

Donald Sholes Thompson, “Sam” left this world July 8, 2018 at the age of 93, in Belfast. Sam was born on March 29, 1925 at home in Belfast, during a late winter blizzard to George C. Thompson and Amy Perkins Sholes. He graduated from Crosby High School in 1942 and enlisted in the Navy. He served during WWII on the Aleutian island of Attu in Alaska for the duration of the war. After the war he re-enlisted and spent a total of 13 years in the Navy and 7 years in the Air Force. He married Suzanne Sprague of Belfast in 1947 Sam pursued his lifelong passion of aircraft mechanics, in service to our country as well as on private aircraft after his military retirement. He was a private and commercial pilot. Sam’s hobbies, in addition to flying, included British sports cars and reading. Sam is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Syrena and George Gatewood of Belfast; his granddaughter and her husband, Eileen Gatewood and Edward Mattson. He is preceded in death by his wife, Suzanne and his brothers, William and Robert. A celebration of his life will be held on Monday July 23 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at the Riposta Funeral Home, 182 Waldo Ave, Belfast Maine.