Mark Charles Thompson

Mark Charles Thompson 59, passed away on Christmas Day 2024 to celebrate the saviors birth in heaven.

Born September 10, 1965, the only son of Ruth Wheelock and Charles George Thompson. He was originally from Green Hill in Cambridge Springs. He treasured his mother’s optimism and quick wit until her passing of breast cancer when he was just 24 years old. He longed for his father’s presence since his passing just a year and a half ago. And his first daughter Grace deceased in 1991. 

Survivors include his wife of 35 years, Deborah Dean Foreman and daughters: Morgan Paige and fiancé Keith Keller of Boston, MA and his youngest Rachel Ruth and Eric Rothermel and beloved sons, Jackson David and Cameron Brooks, 4 and 1 respectively from the Pittsburgh area. Also surviving is his only sister Amy Ruth Thompson of Greensboro, NC.

Mark loved people as did both his parents. He took his provider responsibilities seriously. Working solely at Pennsylvania Tool and Gages for 50+ hours per week for exactly 40 years. He loved his various roles there over the years but mostly the actual precision manufacturing of the product. He enjoyed all the guys and mentoring the new recruiters. At Penn tool he was able to meet his financial goals for his family which was his life’s goal. 

He graduated from Maplewood High School in 1983. He participated in the Journeyman vocational technical program, working by day then night school for 4 years to learn the trade. His father was also a journeyman toolmaker.

During his younger years he was involved in various 4H clubs where he met his future wife, cutting firewood with his father all day on Saturdays with a pony team named Toby and Jane. As he grew he became involved in the late great Amy’s Army of the Maplewood band: high stepping, sharp turns, no sheet music and the black and gold plumbs. He reluctantly played an impromptu solo for the crowd which he never forgot, not wanting to be in the spotlight.

As his daughters grew he facilitated their music and academic growth. He was a helicopter dad as they called it, that would transport kids to activities that didn’t have rides. He attended all of his girls’ games, performances, concerts, and parades. His only hobbies were cutting firewood to heat his home for 35 years, watching the late great Pittsburgh Steelers of the 80-90’s, hard rock big hair music, Saturday Night Live, falling asleep to the pirates games and producing crazy funny one of a kind humor that we all enjoyed so much.

He was very proud of his daughters and their academic achievements. Morgan is a Research Scientist in Boston and Rachel, though currently home with the boys, is a Petroleum Engineer. He was very close to all his in laws, the guys at the shop and his sons- in laws.

Mark was diagnosed with glioblastoma this past July, a malignant terminal brain tumor. Although rare, it commonly affects men in their 50s associated with inhalation fumes from workplace environments. He operated a CNC electrical discharge machine exclusively. Before he passed he requested that the public be aware of these hazards at work. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to help research, advance treatments and find a cure for glioblastoma @ www.braintumor.org

There will be a memorial gathering and service in the early summer of 2025 when the roses are in their first flush at his home in Conneaut Lake where he lived for the past 25 years.

He will be remembered for his intellect, humor, and gentleness. Mark was able to be home the week before Christmas with his wife and sister by his side and benefiting from HOSPICE services. If he had lived to retire he wanted to usher seating at the pirates’ games and help raise his grandchildren. His reverent wish was to reunite with his parents on the right side of God the Father. He told me he was not afraid.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Rose and Waid Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 12422 Conneaut Lake Road, Conneaut Lake.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.rosefh.com