Jonathan H. Thomson

Albany - Jonathan H. Thomson passed away on Saturday, September 5th in St. Peter’s Hospital with his wife, Lisa and daughter, Grace beside him. He fought valiantly despite the effects of the treatment of his childhood onset kidney disease, never letting his illness define him or create barriers. Rather, he defined his life by his ethics, discipline, craftsmanship and fundamental belief in social justice and the common good. Finally, he is free from the pain and suffering he courageously endured, and is at peace. Jonathan was born in Rochester, NY to his parents Bob and Carolyn Thomson. From his early years, he was a very bright, adventurous precocious boy; once climbing a ladder onto the roof of their house. He was one of the youngest people ever to earn a ham radio license, mastering morse code while also learning how to take and develop photographs, creating his own dark room in their basement. With his brothers, Rob and Joe, he gallivanted around their cabin on East Bay on Lake Ontario, boating, swimming and accompanied by their faithful dogs, especially their Golden Retriever Beau. He attended St. Helen’s School in Gates/Chili and earned a scholarship to his high school, the Aquinas Institute in Rochester due to his talent in extemporaneous speaking. His years at Aquinas were defining as he won many debate competitions, participated with his brothers in the Marching Band, served as the school’s photographer, and graduated as the Class Valedictorian even while missing many days due to illness. He went on to earn a B.S. from Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations, a place where he was challenged intellectually and where his leadership capacities were cultivated through his jobs at Cornell Dining, appointed as manager in his junior year. After his time at Cornell, he earned an M.S. in Public Administration from the Syracuse University Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, where he met his best friend, Bill. Later, he would earn a 2nd master’s degree, an MBA from The College of Saint Rose. After serving as a graduate scholar in the New York State Legislature, he accepted a position with the New York State Department of Economic Development based in White Plains, NY. It was there that he met the love of his life, Lisa. They married on October 20, 1990, the beginning of a life of commitment to each other and to creating a family shaped by their values of simplicity, service to others, and love of community and neighborhood. They moved to Albany, and Jonathan began his 30-year career with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. He spent most of these years managing the State’s Farmers Market Nutrition Program and Farm to School, long before those concepts were mainstream. He worked with a group of colleagues he respected and was proud to serve the farmers and people of New York State. He served on the Board of the National Association of Farmers Market Nutrition Programs serving as President for one term. He was also on the board of the Food Pantries of the Capital Region, serving as Treasurer for several years and continued to serve on the Advisory Board. The birth of Lisa and Jonathan’s daughter Grace was the miracle that made their life complete and began Jonathan’s most important role of his life- Dad. From that moment on, Grace became the center of his life and he taught her how to read, how to calculate, how to scrape and paint a house, how to save for the future and how to solder, how to drive, and the importance of making lists. He instilled in her the value of public service, of always having a plan for the day and making things with your own hands and heart. Jonathan was the consummate Renaissance Man, constantly curious, artistically and mechanically talented, always pushing himself to try and learn new things. In his early adulthood, he learned to fly, restored cars and motorcycles, and was an avid sailor. He became connected with the Thistle Class Associations where he met his mentor Elmer, and in later years became known for his photography of the annual Tupper Lake Regatta where he, Lisa and Grace would spend an annual August weekend. He built a workshop in their garage and that became the hub of many projects that will be a living legacy to his talents. He designed and custom built their kitchen cabinets, built furniture, wooden toys and carved elegant half models after seeing them on honeymoon in Maine. He carved Christmas ornaments and nativity sets and gave them away as gifts. Today those gifts remain out in the world as tokens of friendship. From an early age, he collected and restored dozens of antique radios and was an active member of the Schenectady Antique Radio Association. An important part of his life was spending time with his beloved dogs, especially his dog Faith with whom he shared a very special bond. He loved taking the dogs swimming on Saratoga Lake and the Normanskill Creek and watching them fly down the slide at the playground. Saying goodbye to Faith was one of the hardest moments of his life, and we are comforted knowing that he is rejoined at last with his beloved soul-dog. Jonathan is survived by his wife, Lisa, their daughter Grace, his brothers, Robert (Beth) and Joseph, his sister Laura, his Aunt Carol and several cousins, nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his parents Robert and Carolyn and his brothers, Christopher and Sean who died in infancy. The family would like to extend profound gratitude to Jonathan’s doctors and the staff of St. Peter’s Hospital especially of 4 McAuley for their compassionate, skilled and attentive care of Jonathan and Lisa. In the last 5 weeks, this staff became family and this unit became home. We want to particularly recognize the Unit managers, Jack and Christopher, whose patient-centered management and care epitomized the values of the Sisters of Mercy, and their founder, Sr.Catherine McAuley- “In the care of the sick, great tenderness above all else…” Relatives and friends are invited to Visit with the family Saturday, September 12, 2026 at St. Vincent De Paul Church, 900 Madison Avenue, Albany, NY 12208 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Jonathan’s Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 1:30 p.m. The Rite of Committal will be in Calvary Cemetery in Glenmont, NY following the Mass. All are welcome. Memorial contributions can be made to the Jonathan Thomson Scholarship Fund at Maria College or the Food Pantries of the Capital District. Online Giving Maria College The Jonathan Thomson Scholarship Fund Donate to the Food Pantries of the Capital District To leave a message for the family or view other helpful services please visit www.mcveighfuneralhome.com.

Jonathan H. Thomson

March 7, 1962 - September 5, 2026