Joseph "Dave" David Thompson

Joseph David “Dave” Thompson passed away on September 16, 2026, at age 84. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Dave lived a life guided by faith, integrity, generosity, and love for his family.

Born in Philadelphia’s Germantown neighborhood in February 1942 to Francis Joseph Thompson and Dorothy A. McPhail, Dave grew up in Gwynedd, Pennsylvania. His family’s involvement at St. Rose of Lima Church and the music he shared with his mother helped shape his lifelong faith and love of music. He graduated from Ambler High School in 1959 and the University of Notre Dame in 1963, where he studied electrical engineering and liberal arts and played trumpet in the marching band and stage band.

Dave met Diane Elaine Fone on the Ninth Street beach in Ocean City, New Jersey. Together, they shared 62 years of marriage and raised four sons: David, Scott, Marc, and Garrett.

Dave led Laminators Incorporated, the family business his father founded in 1963, until his retirement in 2008, when his sons purchased the company. His legacy lives on through the business he helped build and the respect and care he showed employees, customers, and vendors.

A generous supporter of churches and charities, Dave held Covenant House, the Smile Foundation, and cancer-related organizations close to his heart. In retirement, he served on the Pennridge School Board, including four years as president. He later faced an eleven-year battle with colon cancer with courage and perseverance.

Dave believed in doing the right thing, even when it hurt and even when nobody was watching. He taught his family to treat others with respect, serve those around them, and preserve God’s blessings for the next generation. He often said that everyone needs a purpose, someone to love, and something that inspires them to be bigger than themselves. He put those beliefs into practice, leaving an example for his family to follow.

His family meant the world to him, and he treated his friends like family. He enjoyed boating, golf, and cheering for the Eagles, Phillies, and his beloved Fighting Irish.

Dave is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Diane; his sons and their families: David and his wife, Lori; Scott and his wife, Theresa; Marc; and Garrett and his wife, Amy. He is also survived by his grandsons, Luke, Thomas, Brian, Jack, Tyler (son of Scott and Theresa), and Tyler (son of David and Lori); his granddaughters, Gabby, Naomi, Casey, Kristin, Lauren, Raquel, and Kianna; and his great-grandchildren, Lyla Rose, Graham, TJ, and Jeremiah. He is lovingly remembered by Holly Thompson, Marc’s former wife, and Keith Heil, who affectionately called Dave “Dad.” He was preceded in death by his grandson, Colin Thompson.

Dave is also survived by his sister, Carroll Thompson, and her family, including her four children, thirteen grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, with another great-grandchild on the way.

Dave often spoke of feeling God’s hand lifting and guiding him. His family takes comfort in imagining him welcomed by his Savior with the words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”