Obituary of Robert Francis Thomson

Robert Thomson passed away peacefully on November 29, 2021 at the age of 89. He was preceded in death by his high school sweetheart Sue, to whom he was married to for over 62 years.

Bob served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, and he and Sue called four places home: 1) Key West, FL during Bob’s service time, 2) Ridgefield Park, NJ where Bob served many roles in a small town, from Chair of the School Board to starting a junior football and cheer program, 3) Cedarburg, WI, another small town where he became a city alderman, built a junior baseball field and coached his son and grandson (and many other boys) in any sport that they were interested in, and 4) The Villages, FL where Sue and Bob spent their twilight years singing and dancing with new friends.

Bob was the public address voice of the Ridgefield Park Scarlets and the Cedarburg Bulldogs football teams, and the MC of the Villages NJ Club Talent Show. He never shied from the spotlight or being the center of attention, as he was part Jerry Lewis and part Frank Sinatra. He loved being around family and friends. He could verbally spar politically and civilly with others and then shake hands at the end of the debate. As a coach, he specialized in discipline and teamwork, always giving kids a chance to succeed or fail on their own, especially when taking on kids who needed a second chance or otherwise would not have been able to participate. He had a successful thirty year career with Continental Can Company in both New Jersey and Wisconsin. Lastly, over the years he battled two pulmonary embolisms, prostate cancer, dozens of kidney stones, lung cancer, diabetes, blood clot blockages, covid, and failing kidneys. He even survived a small plane crash. His commitment, dedication and strength were immeasurable.

Bob leaves behind three children: Susan (Michael) Scott of Schwenksville, PA, Linda Astrella of Fruitland Park, FL, and Rob (Wendy) of Orlando, FL. He also leaves behind 5 grandchildren: Christopher (Julie), Samantha (David), Nicole, Alexandra, and Robert III “Trey”. His two stepbrothers and two stepsisters accepted him as their own brother, especially brother Bill (Merl) Shaughnessy. He loved his four nieces and four nephews as much as his own children. There’s no doubt that he’s feeling the warm embrace in heaven from his parents Frank and Jean, his stepmother Florence, his inlaws Sam, Louise, Sal, Pat, and Theresa, and his best friends Fanny, Flash, Jilly, Ines, Bob, Ron, Merc, Jerry, Peg and John, to name a few. But most of all, he’s surely singing and dancing again with Sue for the first time in years.

Visitation will be at St. James Cathedral at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, December 7, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 1:45 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be directed to the Thomson/Yonfa Fund at the Central Florida Foundation, 800 N. Magnolia Ave., Suite 1700, Orlando, FL 32803 (www.cffound.org).