Roy Cureau Thompson

Roy Cureau Thompson (September 7, 1918 to September 14, 2010). Born in Newark, NJ, Roy's life was one focused on automobiles, on sailing, and mostly on Janet. Roy and Jan were Penney Retirement Community (PRC) residents for over 15 years until Jan's recent passing on August 16th. They celebrated 64 years of marriage and leave behind three children: Susan (Tom) Smith, Nancy (Warren) Stone, and Andrew (Cindy) Thompson. Also surviving are seven grandchildren in descending age order: Timothy (Laura) Smith, Bret (Layci) Stone, Thomas (Katy) Smith, Ellie Stone, Sarah (Pete) Ramsey, Audrey Stone, and Donna May Stone. Seven great-grandchildren also survive and will be learning of the lives of their faithful great-grandparents. Roy's roots were primarily in NJ, though due to his parent's divorce, he lived alternately in Livingston, NJ, and Miami, FL, during his growing up years. In 1901, Roy's father, Andrew, at age 20, invented an electric automobile. It had a maximum speed of 12 mph and a range of 25 miles. Such is probably why Roy liked cars all his life. When Roy was a sailor in the USN, he was stationed for a time in the Galapagos Islands but was primarily in the Panama Canal region during the last two years of WWII. After marrying Jan, and resettling in Livingston, he enjoyed swimming and sailing and even built his own Sailfish sailboat, "#32", which he raced competitively on Deer Lake in Boonton, NJ. He loved being out in the wind on the lake and taught his children to sail. For many years Roy was employed as a car salesman first at Herdman Chevrolet and then Whitman Chevrolet in Newark, NJ. Due to changing times, Roy began a new career, becoming a very successful Insurance Agent with Allstate Insurance Company. Roy received commendations on his excellence in service provision to clients. Although he retired in 1978, Roy continued through last week to ask his children about the automobiles they were driving. Roy and Jan loved planning and building homes. They designed their home in Livingston, and then designed, and also had built, a lake-front home and later a country home at Gold Key Lake, in Milford, PA. Roy continued to sail while living on the lake. There, he and his grandchildren enjoyed boating, fishing, and collecting fresh-water mussels. Throughout their retirement, Roy and Jan also enjoyed many hours of square dancing in colorful attire. After many cold Pennsylvania winters, Roy's memories of his early times in Florida reminded him of warmer times. He and Jan then spent 10 winters in Ft. Pierce, FL, and eventually relocated to PRC in Penney Farms, FL. For many years, summers were spent in a campground in Cape May, NJ. At PRC, Roy and Jan redesigned their cottage. Roy repaired wheelchairs in the Pavilion and took Hagen Care Center residents for walks. Roy was very involved in the community until most of his time was needed to care for Jan who had fallen ill with Alzheimer's disease. Roy's greatest concerns before his peaceful death on Tuesday were for his family, that they help one another, and that they follow Jesus. He came to faith later in his life but was eagerly anticipating meeting his Savior and reuniting with his beloved Janet. Please sign the family’s online guestbook at www.broadusraines.com. Cremation arrangements are under the care of Broadus-Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring Street, Green Cove Springs, FL (904) 284-4000.