Otis Charles Thompson
August 25, 1946 ~ October 2, 2022
Resided in:
Portland, Maine
Peaks Island - Otis C. Thompson, 76, died on October 2, 2022, with his family by his side.
Otis was born on August 25, 1946, in Houlton, the son of the late Rev. Donald N. and Lucy Pearl (Perry) Thompson. He grew up in Millinocket, attending local schools. Otis graduated from Eastern Baptist College, a small liberal arts college in St. Davids, PA. He was the captain of the wrestling team and a member of the acapella choir. He earned his Master's Degree in Education from the University of Maine at Orono. While in college Otis met the love of his life, A. Mavourneen Murphy. They married in Schenectady, NY on August 17, 1968.
Otis had a passion for education. Early in his career, he served as an elementary school teacher in Millinocket until he and his wife moved to South Portland in 1975. Otis expanded his education career to include administrative positions in the Portland Public Schools: Assistant Principal at Jack Elementary and the schools of the Casco Bay Islands. Following his service in Portland, he became principal of Stevens Brook and Bridgton Elementary Schools for several years. Otis' last principalship was at Williams Cone Elementary School in Topsham where Otis's school, was awarded a selective national distinction for exemplary educational performance. Otis was active in education outside the classroom as well. As President of the Maine Teachers’ Association in the 1970's, he led statewide political efforts toward supporting teachers and their young charges. Following his retirement, Otis served on the Portland Board of Education. As school board chair, Otis was strongly influential in the inception of Casco Bay High School.
Over the years, Otis has been very active in local organizations: the Choral Arts Society, Portland Community Chorus, Meetinghouse Hill Congregational Church, and New Brackett Church UCC/UUA.
In his free time, Otis shared a love for choral singing with his wife, Mavourneen. He also enjoyed running, bike riding and walking. As a neighbor of the ocean, Otis discovered that he had a natural knack for sailing. And so, for decades, Otis took his family on sailing excursions in Casco Bay and north to Boothbay Harbor. Of course, Otis enjoyed watching baseball and football games with his children. He taught them to be lifelong Red Sox fans. More recently, Otis faithfully marveled at the Peaks Island sunsets, a joy which he shared with his wife and family.
Above all else, Otis loved his family. He was devoted to his wife, children, and grandchildren. His family meant everything to him. Otis will be remembered as a loving and giving husband, father, grandfather and uncle. He is dearly missed.
Otis is survived by his treasured, loving family: his wife, Mavourneen Thompson; his daughter, Heather Thompson and her fiancé, Mario Proia, and Heather's children, Arthur Thompson Johnson and Eleanor Johnson, all of Peaks Island; two sons: Seth Thompson, of Bethel, and his children, Gabrielle and Samuel; Adam Thompson and husband, Phillip Gibson, of Toronto, and their children, Evelyn and Abigail. Otis is also survived by his brother, Donald Thompson, of Hampden and sister, Gwendolyn Archambault, of Brewer, and their respective children.
A memorial service celebrating Otis' life will be held on Sunday, October 9, 2022 at 3:00PM at the New Brackett Church, 9 Church Avenue, Peaks Island. A reception to follow in fellowship hall. Burial will be private. Please call Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home with any questions regarding the memorial service.
Memorial Contributions may be made in Otis' memory to: New Brackett Church, UCC/UUA, 9 Church Avenue, Portland, ME 04108, www.newbrackettchurch.com; Peaks Island Children’s Workshop, PO Box 80, Peaks Island, ME 04108, www.picwmaine.org; Peaks Island Elementary School, 4 Church Avenue, Portland, ME 04108, peaks.portlandschools.org.
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Community members in South Portland
Always an optimist, ready to roll up his sleeves for a worthy cause, and a man of faith and family is how we will remember Otis. Our hearts go out to the family now and in the difficult days to come, as you all try to reconcile and adapt to your loss. The world was made a better place by Otis and we are eternally grateful to him and to the family as you shared him and supported his many missions. ❤️
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
(1 Corinthians 13:13). This was Otis. His obvious love for Mavourneen and his children made many of us better spouses and parents. His unconditional love for our students in Bridgton was remarkable. Even though Otis left Bridgton over 20 years ago, I still run into the “naughty boys,” all grown up now, who only want to share their memories of him. Otis was able to recognize and validate the talents of each of the staff members with whom he worked. He loved and respected everyone who worked with our children, and valued their life’s work. Without his encouragement and support, I would not have gone back to school and earned my teaching degree. My life was enriched through knowing Otis and I will sorely miss him as a friend and mentor. Dick’s and my thoughts are with Mavourneen, Heather, Adam, and Seth and their families during this heartbreaking time. Barbara Danis
I appreciated his kindness, caring manner, and sense of humor.
Otis was my principle at Bridgton Elementary. I was the art teacher. I remember his kindness, sense of humor and support of teachers. This story says it all for me: My favorite story about Otis was when we were in the portable school and that year I had a 5th grade class that was the worst ever, including a bridge crossing kid that only came to art. Anyway, that one 40 minute class was a nightmare and I went to Otis and told him that I had tried everything and the only thing I could think of to do was to call in sick every Thursday until the end of the school year. Without missing a beat, Otis said, “Well, that is an option”. He then came to the next class with someone from special ed and told me at the end of the class that three people was not enough for that class. He sent a special ed teacher in every Thursday for that one class for the rest of the year. I loved that Otis held such respect for teachers! And his sense of humor was always a big lift in a stressful job. Cathy Grigsby
I grew up in Millinocket where Rev. Donald Thompson was our beloved pastor. Otis was a high school friend of my now deceased brother, John Ippoliti. He was well liked by all of us. As a retired teacher, I appreciate his work in the field of education as Pres. of Maine Education Association, as a teacher, administrator, and school board member. His was a life well lived.
Otis and I went to grade school and Stearns High School together and were very, very good friends. He sat behind me in all of our classes. Such a great person and friend. My sincere condolences to his entire family. All of you are in my heart and prayers.
I am so sad to hear the news of Otis’s passing. Please accept my deepest condolences to Mavourneen and family. Otis was a very special man and will be deeply missed by all who knew him. You will be in our prayers. John Faison and Tatyana
I love you Uncle Otis.
I was so sorry to read this morning of Otis’ passing. Remembering how he and Mavourneen advised and assisted me when I first ran for the Legislature as I sat with them in the living room of their home in South Portland.
Rest in piece.
Otis. Such a brilliant yet humble man
Otis! What a wonderful man and gentle friend and support during our time in Portland. My deepest sympathies to Mavoureen and family.
MaryJo O’Connor
You’ll always be my buddy, Oaty. See you on the other side. Say hi to Clem and Goldye and Tom.
Love ya,
Tyke and Maureen lol
Otis’ father was the Pastor of the Millinocket Baptist Church that I was attending as a child and teenager and young parent. May the family hold on to his memory and give them peace.
I will sorely miss this most kind and thoughtful gentleman.
A sweet and lovely man, our Otis. So very hard when a death is so unexpected. We grieve with you, Mavourneen and family.
To the family: My condolences on his passing. I grew up with Otis – went to school with him, graduated from Stearns in 1964 with him, went to Church with him. He and his family share a huge portion of my memories of growing up in Millinocket. He was “one of the good ones”. Rest in Peace Otis
The kids and I have so many memories of Otis, Mauvorneen
and kids. We met at First Congregational Church in the 70’s and helped raise each other’s kids along with the Nisbet’s and Kahill’s ❤️ Traditionally we would all meet at Ft Williams for a picnic and games on Memorial Day and Columbus Day. Great memories, including choir, pageants, school musicals, football games, wiffle ball games, confirmations, proms, graduations and many more, including being my Grandson Bradford’s Confirmation Sponsor in 2018🙏
Otis you’ll be missed by so many, you were a good man and made the world a better place with your life.
Much love to all the Thompsons😘 Sue, Amy, Jill and Bobby ❤️
Otis and I had adjoining podclassrooms at Riverton School, when my married name was Booth. He used to cover for me when I had to leave the classroom because of morning sickness.
The pods being open I remember him saying “you are suffering from the misapprehension that this classroom is a democracy”. I am thinking of you and your family, Mavourneen.
Otis has been a special and highly respected friend – seems like forever.
Our sincerest condolences to Mavourneen and family. God bless you all. RIP Otis. Wesley Gibson, Jian Hua, John, and Mary.