Salem, NY-Howard Spencer Thompson, 93, of Salem, passed away peacefully Wednesday morning, January 27, 2010 at the home of his daughter in Greenwich with his family by his side. Born August 7, 1916 in Jamaica, Long island, NY, he was the son of the late Bertrum and Olga (Poehland) Thompson. Mr. Thompson was educated on Long island and moved his family to Salem in 1954. Howard was a member and a truck driver for Teamsters Local 807 for 35 years. After retiring from work in New York, he was a bus driver for 5 years for Salem Central School. Howard also owned his own business, Special Ed Transportation for 20 years, a business where he would transport special needs children to various places. Mr. Thompson attended NEWCO in Salem and also delivered meals on wheels. He enjoyed attending plays at the Fort Salem Theater and helping his neighbors when there was a need, such as taking people to doctor appointments, the supermarket or wherever they needed to go. Howard was a NASCAR fan and had attended the Indianapolis 500 race many years ago with his wife.

In addition to his parents, he was also pre-deceased by his wife of 42 years, Lillian Louisa Cowen; a grandson, James Thompson.

Howard is survived by his children, Gail Wever and her husband Robert of Broken Arrow, OK, Kenneth Thompson and his wife Cecile of Salem, Judith Friedman and her husband Bill of St. Louis, MO, Leonard Thompson and his wife Cheryl of Shushan, Victoria Jensen and her husband Scott of Austerlitz, NY and Valarie Wilkinson-Batchelder and her husband Steve of Greenwich. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Bonnie McKenzie, Lael Wever, Tina Jollie and her husband Ken, Joeanne Carmen and her husband Bill, Jeffrey Friedman and his wife Brooke, Marc Friedman and his wife Liz, Steven Friedman, Johnna Lea Backus and her husband Dave, Bradley Wilcox, Rebecca Wilkinson and Jillian Wilkinson; great grandchildren, Abby McKenzie, Rick Riley, Paige Clark, Samuel Friedman, Beckett Friedman and Micah Friedman; great-great grandchild, Claire McKenzie.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 pm Saturday, January 30, 2010 at the McClellan-Gariepy Funeral Home, 19 East Broadway, Salem with Rev. Debbie Earthrowl officiating. Calling hours will be held Saturday from 1:00 until 3:00 pm prior to the service at the funeral home. Spring interment will take place at Evergreen Cemetery in Salem.

Memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Thompson may be made to the Salem Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 360, Salem, NY 12865 or NEWCO, 32 East Broadway, Salem, NY 12865.