Edwin Thompson

Edwin “Ed” Thompson was born on November 12, 1949, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to the late Edwin and Kathleen Thompson. Older brother of Anthony Thompson (Carla) and the late Patrick Thompson.

Ed is survived by his wife, Margaret “Margie” (nee Gallagher), his children, Moira Thompson (Cory Potomis) and Michael Thompson, his beloved grandchildren, Avery and Connor Potomis and the Gallagher siblings, Jody Ross (Rick), Karen Breznicky, Jack Gallagher (Lee), Tricia Coyle (Rick) and Beth Gallagher (Dennis Thomas). Ed shared knowledge and facts with his beloved nieces and nephews and greatly valued their interests and opinions.

Ed enlisted in the army as a conscientious objector and served as a medic in Germany and multiple US bases between 1969-1971. This time in his life greatly shaped his world views and nurtured his empathetic soul.

Ed and Margie celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2024. They met at Penn State Ogontz before traveling to main campus. Ed loved Margie very much and often told stories about their younger years in Ohio where he attended Capital University Law School and worked for the Ohio Attorney General.

Ed loved reading, collecting and sharing books. He never passed up an end table and would gladly drop off something at your house that you referenced during a conversation. Ed loved the movies and eating at diners. In his later life, he found great peace as a librarian at the Free Library of Springfield Township, often greeting library patrons, passing out mini acorns filled with sayings he typed himself. Ed loved going on drives, with or without a destination.

Ed was voted funniest in the family repeatedly by his grandson and steadfastly supported his granddaughter’s interests.

Ed was a constant champion of his children and grandchildren and taught them resilience and love through action and example. Being a father was his greatest joy.

To know Ed was to receive a book from Ed.

Ed will be remembered, missed and celebrated. In his honor, take a minute to write a short story as Ed would have recommended.

A Visitation will be held on Friday, June 27th from 10-11:00AM at Jacob F. Ruth’s, 8413 Germantown Ave., Phila., PA 19118. Words of Remembrance will be offered at 11:00AM.