Notes by daughter June:

Born Thomas Griffith Toland, he changed his name to George Raymond Thompson. He used this name from about 1916 on, but legally changed it sometime in the 70's.

We now know that he served in the Marines, 1917 - ? He served in the Panama Canal Zone as a motorcycle courier. He served his full term but we are not sure if all the time was served in The Panama Canal zone or not. Can not seem to find any records yet. Have tried everything possible to trace records but have had no luck. Too many blank spaces to fill in.

We know that Dad lived in Rochester for a few years and ran an automotive repair shop with his brother Charles. He was married once before Mom (Mildred) but we know nothing about that (so we will skip it). We also know that there was a speak-easy right by Dad and Charles garage and that is how he met my mother. Mom was quite a dancer from what we hear. She often went out with her Aunt (Irene, another hell raiser I guess). We are not sure when Mom and Dad got married, but we are pretty certain the location of the wedding was in Rochester NY.

They moved to Albany immediately after their marriage and Dad went to work for Armory Garage for awhile as a mechanic. Sometime around 1936 (????), Dad rented a garage on Yates Street in Albany and began his own business. He rented this property until around 1950 and then he bought it along with the house next door (he had to but both pieces of property because they could not be sold separately. By then Dad & Mom had six kids and they moved us from our house on Victor Street to the house on Yates Street. Remember that siblings of mine? Three boys in the back room, three girls in the front room, no privacy at all (until all those guys moved out, then I had the run of it all). Just kidding.

I can't speak for anyone else, but I have some fond memories of growing up on Yates Street. I used to watch Dad sometimes while he worked in the garage (sometimes oneor two of my brothers would be in there working with him). It was nice having Dad next to the house, whenever you needed cash, you didn't have to go far to get it (ha ha). I can remember some good parties thrown in that garage. Dad used to play cards at Stack's Bar across the street when he wasn't working and enjoyed a good glass of Scotch. I can't remember anyone who ever had a bad word to say about Dad. He had a tough hand when it came to raising us kids (sometimes) but we loved him all the more for it. I found he also had quite a soft spot. Once you got over his yelling, you knew you were a shoe in for whatever you wanted anyway.

His business burnt down twice, once in 1945 (front end of garage) and again in 1966 (back end of garage), people came from all walks of life to help him out. He was helped by area Doctors, the owner of Armory Garage, owners of part supply houses, owner of Joe's delicatessen, and many more offered him any assistance he needed, (cash, parts, loans, etc). I guess that says a lot for him.

Dad died in February, 1981. Mom went on to rent the business out and lived at 506 Yates Street until October of 1998. Mom had developed dementia or Alzheimer, whatever, and we had to move her to McAuleys Residence (across from St Peters Hospital) for her own protection. This was an adult care facility, with only 48 residents living there. It's run by nun's and was beautiful. They were super to Mom. She went out to luncheons, diners and sometimes the theatre, several times a month. When she was not out, she played Bingo and was often amused by the various forms of entertainment that McAuleys arranged to come in. She did not miss out on anything. We had her signed up for all the day trips. She was 83 years old February 26, 2000.

April 17, we had to move Mom to Our Lady of Mercy out Western Ave, Guilder land today. It was a fast move, they called us at 9:00am and told us they needed her there by 2:00pm if we wanted her to have a bed. Annette and I went to McAuleys and packed Mom up. It was terrible. Everyone in McAuleys, from the Kitchen staff to the residents, cried when they learned we were moving Millie. Mom of course didn't realize a thing (lucky for us). So anyway, after 2 hours of crying and saying our good byes, we moved Mom to Our Lady of Mercy nursing home. It is a very nice facility and has its own Dementia unit, so she will be well cared for, but have more nursing staff around her now. She will still go out on trips with Our Lady of Mercy (they go to Lunch, movies, etc). She will still have her hair done every week, but now her original hair dresser, TINA, will pick her up at the Nursing Home and bring her to her beauty shop, and return her every Saturday, for as long as possible. Everything will remain the same except her address. Mom doesn't know remember now a days and can't carry on conversation because she can't make what she wants to say make sense. She still looks great she gets new clothes every change of season. We wouldn't want her looking bad would we? She was always fussy about her hair and clothes and so it is our pleasure to see that she remains that way until she passes on. She is very healthy so she probably will be around a long time yet. It hurts when you lose a parent, but it hurts more when you lose a parent who is still living, if you know what I mean.

Well, that's just my opinion and I am sure everyone else has something else to add. As they call to tell me, I will add any comments they would like.

1. Living Thompson
2. Living Jr.
3. Living Thompson
4. Living Thompson
5. Living Thompson
6. Living Thompson

1. Title: George's Daughter, June compiled this information.
   Repository:
   Media: Book
   Text: Once I found out Dad's birth name, this project sky rocked from there.