Senate Resolution No. 1441

BY: Senator KENNEDY

MOURNING the death of Richard J. "Dick" Thompson,
distinguished citizen and devoted member of his
community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and this
great Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Richard J. Thompson, affectionately known as Dick, of
Buffalo, New York, died on October 15 at the age of 92; and

WHEREAS, Born in Buffalo, New York, to parents who came from the
city's Old First Ward, Richard J. Thompson was the youngest of seven
children; he grew up on Englewood Avenue in the University District,
graduated from Canisius High School in 1949 and received a bachelor's
degree in English from Canisius College in 1953; and

WHEREAS, After serving the Nation in the Army, Richard J. Thompson
taught for three years at his alma mater, Canisius High School, while
earning a master's degree from the University of Buffalo, where he also
went on to complete his doctorate; and

WHEREAS, From 1958 to 2001, Richard J. Thompson taught English and
Irish literature at Canisius, becoming a full-time professor in 1972;
his specialties included modern Irish literature, with an emphasis on
William Butler Yeats and James Joyce, the Irish short story, and Irish
drama, history and culture; and

WHEREAS, Richard J. Thompson, a lion of the English Department at
Canisius University, was credited with establishing the first formal
Irish studies program in Western New York when the former Canisius
College started offering the concentration as a minor in 1973; he also
built an impressive collection of Irish books in the college library;
and

WHEREAS, A leading proponent of modern Irish literature in the
United States and abroad, Richard J. Thompson founded the Canisius Irish
Society and began leading summer cultural excursions in 1972, taking
Canisius students, staff and alumni on 31 trips to the Emerald Isle; he
also started a long tradition of bringing notable Irish poets and
writers, such as Seamus Heaney and John Montague, to give public
readings at the Canisius campus to meet with students; and

WHEREAS, Dedicated to supporting students and their education,
Richard J. Thompson also assisted the St. Patrick Scholarship Fund for
students in the Buffalo area, which has sent local students abroad for
the summer to Ireland since 1960; also, for six semesters, he
participated in the college-in-prison program at Attica Correctional
Facility; and

WHEREAS, Truly a caring individual, Richard J. Thompson would always
leave his office door open to students for enrichment or tutoring and

often hosted students at his Parkside home for dinners and parties
celebrating their academic achievements; and

WHEREAS, Diligently serving as Chairman of the English Department
for six years, Richard J. Thompson led 26 full-time faculty members and
close to 150 English majors, the largest number in the school's history;
and

WHEREAS, A renowned author, Richard J. Thompson published
Everlasting Voices: Aspects of the Modern Irish Short Story in 1989; he
also authored dozens of articles and book reviews; and

WHEREAS, A patron of the arts, Richard J. Thompson was a celebrated
singer in the Canisius glee club, became a devotee of the Buffalo
Philharmonic Orchestra, supported the old Studio Theatre on Lafayette
Avenue and was an early member of the board of directors for Vincent and
Chris O'Neill's Irish Classical Theatre Company; and

WHEREAS, Involved in many community organizations, Richard J.
Thompson was a member of the Modern Language Association, the American
Association of University Professors, the Erie-Limerick Twin County
Committee, the American Conference for Irish Studies and the Irish
American Cultural Institute; and

WHEREAS, Richard J. Thompson received a myriad of honors due to his
exceptional community service, and was most proud of a citation stone a
former student placed for him at the Western New York Irish Famine
Memorial on Buffalo's waterfront; and

WHEREAS, Richard J. Thompson distinguished himself in his profession
and by his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the
welfare of his community; and

WHEREAS, Richard J. Thompson's commitment to excellence, and his
spirit of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise,
including charitable and civic endeavors; and

WHEREAS, Richard J. Thompson is survived by his wife of 64 years,
Jacquelyn "Jackie" Bowden-Brown, and his two daughters, Susan Hamilton
and Elizabeth Thompson; five sons, Brendan, Philip, Michael, and twins
Eric and Jay; 13 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Remembered for his wanderlust, Richard J. Thompson would
often take his family on adventurous trips, including driving through
Europe for a year; he and his wife saw a remarkable 65 to 70 countries
together; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Richard J. Thompson leaves behind a legacy which will long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Richard J. Thompson, distinguished citizen and
devoted member of his community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Richard J. Thompson.