Remembering My Husband
Gerard (Gerry) Anthony Thompson
Passed away December 10, 2008 in Henderson NV.
Born February 17, 1956 at Providence Hospital in Seattle, Washington. He attended St. Joseph Catholic School, O’Dea High School, and graduated from Highline High School in 1974. He began his culinary training at OSC (Occupational Skills Center at Highline High School). He attended Seattle Central Community Colleges’ Culinary program; and completed the American Culinary Federation’s Culinary Apprenticeship Program, working at Seattle’s Olympic/Four Seasons Hotel & the Space Needle.
Gerry married Rosemary Wieser at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Burien, Washington on January 22, 1977. He began his “traveling” career in the culinary field as a Sous Chef for Westin Hotels in Costa Mesa CA, where his two daughters were born. He transferred to Kansas City’s Westin Hotel; Philadelphia’s Adams Mark Hotel (becoming Executive Chef); back to Kansas City’s Adams Mark; then Charlotte, NC’s Adams Mark; then Hilton Head Island’s Sea Pines Harbor Town Golf Links. In 1989, he moved to Harrah’s in Laughlin NV; in 1994 he transferred to Las Vegas NV (as Food & Beverage Director at Palace Station); in 1995 he went to Pahrump NV’s Saddle West Hotel & Casino; then back to Laughlin’s Riverside Hotel & Casino in 1997. He retired in September 2001.
Gerry was very proud of his membership in the American Culinary Federation. He treasured his invitation to participate as a Chef Rotisseur in Chain Des Rotisseurs events (an elite gastronomical society) in Charlotte NC. During his career he received numerous awards and appeared in newspapers and on radio & TV talk shows. His recognition included:
1991 - Chairman’s Award Winner, Harrah’s Laughlin (category: cost savings/revenue generation)
1987 – Accepted as active member of American Culinary Federation, Inc.
1987 – Charlotte Observer Newspaper, recipe featured (“trout in phyllo”)
1985 – Judge in 7th Annual Plaza Ice Carving Contest in Kansas City, Missouri
1981 – Chef Reinhold Keller Award “Recipe of the Year” (“Jardinière de Legumes en Papillote”)
1977 – Outstanding Culinary Achievement in Orange California’s Annual Culinary Art Show
1976 – Completed Culinary Apprenticeship Program sponsored by Western Int’l Hotels (Culinarian)
1976 – Certificate of Completion: Washington State Apprenticeship (Dinner Cook)
His hobbies included rebuilding classic cars, woodworking, cooking, bowling and skiing (he loved the double black diamond runs). He was an avid motorcycle & dirt-bike rider.
Gerry is remembered as an aggressive conversationalist. He was positive, outgoing, gregarious, impulsive, loving, charming, constantly smiling – a husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and friend.
Granddaughter Adrianna says her grandpa is the most thoughtful & caring person in the world.
Gerry often spoke about his dedication to the Culinary World. He would most want to be remembered as an Executive Chef and Food & Beverage Director. He insisted on the highest food quality and presentation in every aspect of the business.
He is survived by his father Joe Thompson (Seattle, WA); mother Sharon Warner (Cathedral City, CA); his wife Rosemary; daughters Anna Broadhead (Robert) & Darlene Purdy (Joshua); grandchildren Adrianna, Zackary & Emma (all of Henderson, NV); sister Debbie Finck (Bend, OR); niece Kelley Johnson (Redmond, WA); nephew Keith Roberts (Boulder, CO); and uncle Don Anderson (Seattle, WA).
Memorial Services are being planned. The date will be posted on this website as soon as it is available.
Growing up I idolized my father. I looked up to him as the most strong and successful person I knew. He was a great role model and father because he taught my sister and I the importance of hard work and dedication to get where you want to be in life. Dad made sure we were always taken care of. He worked hard all day to give us the finer things in life. In addition to his job he also would work hard on his days off. I remember how much he enjoyed working on old cars, especially the el camino and woodworking to build things around the house. As I got older I did alot of work on my first car (cadillac) with him. He taught me so many things through the years, how to ride a bike, drive, ski, sports etc... I am so lucky for alot of the personality traits he gave me and skills he taught me. In addition to raising me right he was also very loving and protective. Dad would listen and help you with life issues, lend you a hand if needed, he never expected you to return a favor, and he loved to share this generosity to anyone that accepted it. People come and go in your life every day. Some make a mark that stands as a lasting impression. If you ever met dad then you know he was one of those people you don't ever forget. I will miss the advice, comfort, guidance, laughs and love that dad gave me. I feel a piece of me went with him when he left us. I know that piece of me will never heal but if I ever need him I will always have him in my heart and memories.
On January 20, 2002; Gerry was involved in an accident on his dirt bike. When he recovered he had several disabilites that he struggled with daily. Gerry was legally blind and had severe short term memory loss. Just the simplest things that we take for granted each day, Gerry found difficult and struggled to perfect these things. Even though he struggled with these disabilities, he never lost his sense of humor in any situation. And for those who knew Gerry, he was the life of the party. He had a comeback for every topic of conversation and loved to get people to stop and think twice. He was genuinely interested in people and events and would take time out of his day to see how perfect strangers felt about current events and their lives. We will miss his antics and his love and will carry on his memory through all the days of our lives.
His loving wife.....Rose
My grandpa was the greatest grandpa I ever had. He would do all these tricks on me. He would pull my hair and take the remote and change the channel when I was watching something. HE gave me a lot of stuff to remember him. He would tickle me all the time. HE was making us bunkbeds before he passed away. I would always go out in the garage when he was working out there. I would help him with the beds too. his favorite drink was "Coke". When ever he would cook he told me that gravy is called sauce not gravy. My grandpa was the funniest man I ever met.
Message from Zackary (age 7)
I remember when we took grandpa to Ace Hardware to get some nails and stuff. He let me feel some wood. He talked to a nice guy there. I remember when he let me play "jawbreaker" on his computer. He told me all about his trip to Seattle to visit grandma's family. He said it was fun, and he went on the plane safe. I remember when he let me turn on the cable box behind the TV. He said "Push this button". I pushed it, and it all worked! Grandpa told me he was in a motorcycle accident and he was blind. I remember when he left, and gave me a hug and a kiss.
Message from Emma (age 5)
I remember grandpa liked to sit in his chair and watch Law & Order. It was one of his favorite shows. Grandpa gave me a voice recorder, and said "Keep it safe and take good care of it." I remember when grandpa gave me some candy for "almost" tying my shoes! I remember when grandpa let me play on the computer. I liked to lay down on his bed with him. I remember he always gave us candy.
