Obituary: Former DOCA director Kent Thomson, 88

Former Department of Community Activities (DOCA) Director Kent G. Thomson died on May 13 at his home in Monroe Township, N.J. He was 88.

Born in New York City, Mr. Thomson lived in Freeport and Selinsgrove, Pa. before moving to the Rossmoor community in Monroe Township 2 years ago.

He was employed for 22 years as Director of DOCA for the Oceanside School District before retiring in 1987. After his retirement, Thomson and his wife opened and operated the Blue Lion Inn, a bed-and-breakfast in Selinsgrove, Pa. for 12 years.

He was an Army Air Corps veteran. He fought in World War II, served in the Pacific theater and attained the rank of Corporal.

Thomson was a former parishioner of St. Pius X RC Church in Selinsgrove. He was a member of the Oceanside Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis Clubs in Oceanside, Freeport, and Selinsgrove, Pa., and the B & B Association of Pennsylvania. He was vice president of the Physical Education and Recreation Association of New York.

Thomson was predeceased by his four sisters Eleanor Boyle, Loretta Hoyt, Margaret Pastore and Mary Jahelka. Surviving Thomson are his wife of 55 years, Marilyn Hort Thomson, his two sons, Kent Jon of Dayton, NJ and Michael Sean of Malverne, this two daughters, Cynthia Ann Sherman of Dix Hills and Marianne Mullaney of Hillsdale, N.Y., his brother Francis of West Melbourne, FL and his ten grandchildren: Nicole and Kimberly Sherman, Samuel, Matthew, Benjamin, Sophia and Jonathan Thomson, and Nathan, Katherine and Julianna Mullaney.

A funeral mass was held May 18 at Resurrection Roman Catholic Church in Rye, N.Y. with burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Port Chester, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.