Andrew W. Thompson
Date of Passing:
Thompson, Andrew W., 70, of Fales Avenue, Barrington, died peacefully on August 25, 2021 at the Philip Hulitar Inpatient Center, Providence.
Born in Syracuse, NY, a son of the late Col. Edgar H. Thompson Jr. and Rachel W. (Wiley) Thompson, he lived in Barrington for 50 years.
Mr. Thompson was a mechanic and owner and operator of Andy’s Auto Repair, Barrington for 40 years before retiring in 2010.
Andy was a communicant of the Saints Matthew & Mark Episcopal Church, Barrington. He was a member of the Audubon Society, the N.R.A., the Barrington YMCA and the Aircraft Owner and Pilots Association. He was active in the civil air patrol and enjoyed fishing.
He is survived by a son, Douglas B. Thompson and his wife Heidi of Sharon, MA and his devoted dog, Anna.
Calling hours will be held in the W. RAYMOND WATSON FUNERAL HOME, 350 Willett Avenue, Riverside on Thursday September 9, 2021 from 5-7 p.m. A Memorial Service will be held in Saints Matthew and Mark Episcopal Church, 5 Chapel Road, Barrington on Friday September 10, 2021 at 11 a.m.
For many years Andy was my mechanic for many cars. Over time we came to know each other very well. Andy shared the stories of visiting Germany with his parents after the War and recalled the reception they received in Rudesheim on the Rhine. Since my wife is from Germany and we visit there often, I was very interested in Andy’s experiences. Andy recalled a specific wine and family that he had met.
On a later trip to Germany, we were in Rudesheim and found the wine producer that Andy had mentioned. I entered the winery and asked for the wine that Andy mentioned. I was directed to the office where a middle aged man asked me why I was looking for that particular wine. I then told him the story about Andy’s visit there many years before. He asked me what the name of Andy’s father was and I mentioned, Edgar H Thompson. With that, the man stood up from his desk and excused himself while he went to look for the exact wine that Andy had asked about.
When the man returned with the bottle, he asked me if I knew the story. Since I did not, he shared the following story:
After the War, most Germans were rounded up and placed in camps until their backgrounds could be checked. His Grandfather and Father, who owned the winery were detained and it was through the efforts of COL. Edgar Thompson that they were released and able to restart their winery and put people back to work. The man was most grateful and presented me with the bottle that I was able to give to Andy on our return with a picture. Andy was truly moved, and we were so happy to be able to share this experience with him.
Andy was far more that a good mechanic, he was a good friend. God rest his soul!
I will miss your bell ringing! Rest in God’s peace.
Andy was a unique character and a great mechanic. Andy’s Auto Repair was more like the tv show “Cheers”, with Andy holding Court. Many friends and neighbors would stop by daily just to chat with Andy, which Andy loved to do. Any current event or local issue Andy loved to talk about. His beloved dog Anna would always be on the bow of his boat, pointing the way as he left Bullock Cove, into Narragansett Bay. Andy loved the sea and the sky. He is on final approach right now to eternal life. God’s rest my friend. My condolences to Doug, Sharon and Anna on their loss.
I knew Andy many years ago when he was my mechanic. I enjoyed our rapport and always appreciated the lengths he went to in demonstrating his integrity as a mechanic. I quickly learned how proficient and fair he was. When my wife and I drove cross-country from Barrington to California in 1993 we sent Andy a postcard from the Bonneville Salt Flats with a photo of our car enclosed as a faux race car.