Former reeve Carl Thompson .J^SLjjJ- Z. By Derek Baldwin THE INTELLIGENCER _ I Thurlow Ward marked the loss of one of its most dedicated com- munity and political leaders this past year. Carl Thompson was laid to rest February 15, 2003, after succumbing Feb. 11 to complications from a combination of illnesses. He was 84. Emmanuel United Church in Foxboro was filled to overflowing with mourners for a funeral service in which Centre Hastings Reeve Tom Deline called Mr. Thompson a friend and leader to all who knew him. "If there was ever a man to be called Mr. Thurlow, it was Carl," Deline said. Deline joined fellow pallbearers Doug Rollins, Ron Denyes, Steve Coffey, Don Shannik and Owen Ketcheson to carry Mr. Thompson's casket from the church. Predeceased by his wife Olive, Mr. Thompson was survived by his son Keith and his wife Lynda. Keith Thompson paused to talk about the loss of his father and was quick to point out that Mr. Thomp- son was respected as a "straight shooter. "Dad cared for people, he worked to help people his whole life. He believed in being honest and up front with people. He spoke his mind," said Keith Thompson, who lives on Harmony Road near the for- mer family farm. "Dad was also a hard worker who knew that in order to accomplish something, it took a lot of effort." Mr. Thompson served the former township as a councillor and later reeve in 1967. As a Thurlow politician, he held many posts throughout the region, including as representative on the Moira River Conservation Authority and the Belleville Suburban Roads Committee. Mr. Thompson was a former sec- retary and president of Quinte Exhi- bition and Raceway board, was a leader and president of the Thur- low Junior Farmers and umpired for the South Hastings Baseball League. Mr. Thompson also served on the board of Emmanuel United Church in Foxboro. In his earlier years, Mr. Thomp- son worked on his Harmony Road farm before physical problems forced him to seek alternate work. He opened Thompson's Cigar Store in Belleville and later worked for the Hastings County roads department where he retired In 1974.