Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-08-06
DEAN OF AUGUSTA
PHYSICIANS DIES
SUDDENLY TUESDAY

DIR. William Sylvester Thompson,
the Dean of the medical profession
in this city. passed away very sud-
denly at 4:30 Tuesday afternoon at
his home. 173 State street DIR.
Thompson had been sitting on the
veranda at his residence seeking re-
lief from the oppressive heat of one
of the hottest DAYS of the summer
when he was attacked by an afflict-
ion of the heart and passed away
very shortly.
lie WAS born at Newburyport,
Mass, April TO- 1853, the son of
William I.add and Susan (Cumm-
ngs) Thompson. During his youth
he removed to Hallowen, Maine
with his family and later to Angus
ia. He was graduated from the Au-
gusta high school. which antedated
the Cony high school and which
was conducted in the William r.
Smith grammar school building. in
1871. He was graduate Of Bow
dom college in the class of 1919 and
after teaching school for about two
wears he went to Cleveland, Ohio
to study medicine and received his
degree from the Hospital college in
that city.
DR. Thompson returned TO this
city and had a very large practice in
Augusta and Hallowcll over a long
period of years. In 1881 he married
Nellie Blossom of Boothbay Harbor
and six children blessed this union,
four of whom arc now living. Be-
sides the widow. Dr.. Thompson
1 leaves two daughters and two sons
! and five grand children. The dapgh-
| ters are Mrs. WelthCa Webster of
/ Augusta and Mrs. Helen Kurdish OF
Westbrook: The sons are Frederick
/ William Thompson of Detroit, Mich
! igan and George Cummings Thomp-
| son of Belfast.
For about II fears Or. Thompson
was actively identified with the Au-
/ gusta schools as n member of the
/ Board of Education, and for the last
! eight years of his tenure of office he
served az chairman, retiring from
the board two years ago. His loyal
{ ty to Augusta and her institutions
was of the highest. He was an en-
( thuSiaStic supporter of high school
! athletics and was ever ready to lead
! the demonstration after victory Of
| the ConY high school athletic teams
/ DIR. Thompson was known to three
generations of Cony students and
4 has many times been called upon
for words of inspiration at school
rallies and has presented diplomas
! to hundreds of boy and girl gradu-
ates.
He was a true friend to all young
people in the schools. No hoy or
girl ever failed to receive help and
encouragement from him when
needed He was deeply interested
in their problems, their succe sses
and failures. For these reasons he
was loved by the young people. His
influence over them can never die.
At the monster banquet of the
Cony high alumni held on the eve
Ming of June 10, as one of the
features OF commencement week
this last June, DIR. Thompson was
honored as the oldest Alumnus pres
ent and his attendance was one of
the enjoyable features of that nota-
Lle occasion. He was q man of
splendid character and high ideals
and As a member of the school
board and as a family physician
throughout his lifetime he has made
his influence for good felt in many
homes in this city and has done
much to shape the character of
the youth of our city. The entire
community, and indeed all who have
been privileged to know DIR.
Thompson will feel his death as a
distinct personal loss, and their
hearts will go out to the bereaved
members of his family in sympathy.
DIR. Thompson attended divine
worship at the South Congregation
al church at which he was senior
deacon. He was a member of the
Masonic orders of this city, and also
a member of the State Board of
Registration for Physicians. Ar
rangements for the funeral have not
been completed and will be announ-