Lee Thompson, 79, of Essex, died peacefully at home on the morning of New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31.  He was the husband of Pat Thompson. Lee will be remembered as a man who lived by example. He was born in Denver, Colorado, on June 12, 1933, son of the late Frances and George Thompson. Raised in Denver, he served with distinction in the Korean War as an officer and naval aviator.  Lee graduated from the University of Colorado in 1957 and was a member of the Chi Psi fraternity.

Lee’s professional career started at Sylvania in the lighting division, and he quickly rose to the top of the Sylvania lighting and television management teams. He then went on to be the EVP of the Servomation Corporation, president of the Singer Corporation of North America, president of the SCM Corporation, and he retired as the CEO and chairman of the board of the Smith Corona Corporation. He also served as an economic advisor to both President Ronald Reagan and President George Bush, Sr.  In addition, Lee was a trustee of the University of Colorado, the U.S. Tennis Association, and the U.S. Jr. Golf Association. 

Lee served on many boards of corporations, civic committees, and country clubs. In retirement, he was the owner of the Essex Coffee and Tea Company, the Essex Mariner, and Sweet P's Ice Cream in Essex.

Lee will be remembered by his employees as a brilliant businessman and a true and fair leader; by his friends as a loyal compatriot with a quick wit and fierce competitor on the tennis and paddle courts; and by his wife and children as a strong and loving man who was always there for them with a kind word and sage advice. Lee will be remembered by his grandchildren as "Chief" and will always be bigger than life and the giant that always had a huge smile and a bear hug.

Norman Needleman, first selectman of Essex, wrote, “Lee was highly involved in the town of Essex.  As a friend, advisor, mentor, and tireless volunteer of the Town, Lee will certainly be missed.  Lee was a driving force in creating a voice and purpose for the Town’s Economic Development Commission and was President of the Essex Board of Trade. Lee and his close friends Jay Beveridge and former First Selectman Phil Miller, were the major reasons that the town was able to obtain numerous small town economic assistance grants from the State of Connecticut. The grants included two Main Street revitalization projects, the boat ramp renovation and a novelty lane public access improvement. Lee teamed up with David Caroline, Essex Public Works director, and the two were the general contractors, saving the town a large amount of money. In Lee’s final days, he worked with Jay, and they wrote the narrative for the recently awarded town hall campus improvement grant. This town is certainly a better place to live and work as a result of Lee’s turning both the Commission and the Board of Trade into a second job.”

Besides his wife, Lee is survived by his three children and their spouses, Shannon Thompson Eadon and Gordon Eadon of Rumson, New Jersey, Tracy Thompson Harte and Jesse Harte of Westport, and Bradley and Kathy Thompson of Easton. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Logan and Tucker Eadon, Trevor and Cooper Shippee, and Adeline and John Thompson.

A service celebrating Lee's life will take place at St. John's Episcopal Church in Essex at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 5.  In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to either the Child and Family Agency of Southeastern CT, or to St. John’s Church. The Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, Centerbrook, is in charge of arrangements. To share a memory of Lee or send a condolence to his family please visit www.rwwfh.com.