Joseph Thompson, 86, longtime Oak Harbor resident and owner of Joseph’s Antiques, died Sept. 22, 2007 at Regional Hospital in Seattle following a traffic accident on Highway 20 on July 16.

He is survived by his loving companion of 13 years, Mary Faye Kelley. He is also survived by his daughters Bonnie Thompson DiPaolo and Marvis J. Oehm. Other family mourning his loss are his grandson Taylor J. Treece, his sons-in-law Anthony Treece and Albert DiPaolo and his extended family including Peter and Michele Kelley, Bruce and Suzana Kelley, Pat and Diane Kelley, and Robyn Kelley and all their children. Joe loved you all.

Joe was preceded in death by his wife Shirley of 48 years and his daughter Pamela Sue Treece.

Joe was born March 14, 1921, on a small farm in Louisiana, the youngest of six children. In 1941 he hitchhiked to California to work for MacDonald Douglass Aircraft factory in Santa Monica. In 1943 he married a beautiful ballet dancer, Shirley. Joe served in the Seabees in World War II. After the war he went to work for AT&T. In 1955 he moved his family to Newport Beach, Calif., where he discovered his love for woodworking, furniture refinishing and antiques collecting.

In 1978 Joe and Shirley moved to Oak Harbor to be close to their daughter Pamela and son-in-law Anthony Treece. They opened Joseph’s Antiques. Joe refinished furniture and Shirley sold antiques. They enjoyed Island life and expanded the business to include upholstery. They had a long profitable and happy partnership with Richard (Dick) and Pat Evans.

Joe was an active member of the Oak Harbor Lions Club. He established the fruit sales and loved putting out the flags and attending the meetings.

After Shirley’s passing, Joe was fortunate to meet and fall in love with Mary Faye Kelley. They enjoyed motor home trips around the country visiting family and friends and seeing the sights. The day of his accident he was planning another trip. Joe always had a plan.

Joe and Dick officially retired two years ago to the disappointment of many longtime clients. His many friends and family will miss his good humor, good nature and kindness.

Joe, we love you.

A celebration of Joe’s life will be held Saturday, Sept. 29, at 3 p.m. at Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.