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Father Ed, as he was known, was born Dec. 15, 1932, the only child of the late Harold and Helen (Hagan) Thompson. He grew up in Newark, and earned a bachelor's degree in divinity at Seton Hall University and a master's in divinity at Immaculate Conception Seminary in Darlington.
He was ordained to the Catholic priesthood May 23, 1959 at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart by Archbishop Thomas Boland.
Soon after, he was assigned as parochial vicar at Little Flower Parish in Berkeley Heights from 1959-67. He's served as parochial vicar at a number of northern New Jersey parishes, including Guardian Angel Parish, Allendale, 1967-69; Most Blessed Sacrament Parish, Franklin Lakes, 1969-74; St. Leo Parish, Irvington, 1974-76; St. Mary Parish, Jersey City, 1976-82; and Our Lady of Fatima Parish, North Bergen, 1984-95.
Thompson also served as temporary administrator of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, North Bergen in 1993 and 1994; dean of the Hudson Region Deaneries, 8, 9 and 14 from 1994-97; parochial vicar of St. Mary Parish, Dumont, 1995-2001; and was In-Residence at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Ridgewood, 2004-06.
As a priest, he was active in working on counseling with adult, youth and addiction ministries. He retired June 1, 2004, and spent his last 10 years at the Allendale Community for Senior Living.
Visitation is planned from 3-7 p.m. Wednesday at St. Mary Roman Catholic Church, 280 Washington Ave., Dumont. A Mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Mary.
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