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.
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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.
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