A sweet goodbye

St. Anthony Church was filled with well wishers, family and lots of friends of the late George Thompson. It was a testimony to the man that so many people came for the mid-day celebration of his life.

John Fason, a leader at the Men's Action Club, spoke movingly during the ceremony.
Here's what he said:

Good morning to the family and to Georges’ church family – A part of me died last week – and with each tear that rolled down my cheek and each sob escaping my lips, came the realization that George was no longer here –

Oh how I will miss you my friend, my brother in Christ!

I have reflected back to when I first met you – it was down in Adamski Hall – You were the Men’s Action Club President – and as any good president should do, you told me about the club and its purpose. (Which I later found out, you really needed someone to help cleanup after breakfast – and I could really handle a mop back then) I should have run away then! But no – I stayed and listened and joined. I am glad I did! It is from George I learned the personal history of our church, how it had transitioned. Some of the famous or infamous families that had sat in some of the same pews some of you are sitting in today. I enjoyed every story!

There were many a day when George and I would talk about the future and the future state of not only the church but as only George would term it “The plight of our brothers and sisters” – He would point out that some of their demons were because of the choices that were made. I generally would have to agree – But, sometimes George was just testing me to see how I would respond.

My greatest testament to the man will be that he always - No matter what the situation, would always speak up when he felt a decision wasn’t fully thought out – He always wanted to make sure that we didn’t rush to judgment and that we took the WWJD approach especially when it came to helping others.

George – You will be missed!