Brian Thompson

Brian W. Thompson, 77, of Amherst and most recently Hopkinton and Chatham, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on July 22, 2024.

Brian grew up in Amherst and graduated from Amherst Regional High School in 1964. He earned a B.S. from West Virginia Wesleyan College in 1968 and his MBA from Western New England University.

Shortly after graduating college, Brian began what would become a five-decade banking career as a trainee at Shawmut First Bank in Springfield, where he worked his way up to president by the time he turned 40. When the bank was consolidated into the Shawmut Bank Holding Company, he left to join New Hampshire-based Pelham Bank and Trust Company as its president and CEO. That bank was sold in 1996 to First Essex Bancorp of Andover, where he then served as president until it was acquired in 2004. He subsequently joined Commerce Bank and Trust Company in Worcester, and served as its president and CEO before the bank’s sale in 2018. Brian retired shortly thereafter to spend more time with family and friends.

Brian was regarded as a leader in his field, participating in many industry organizations, and was an active board member of many nonprofit organizations, including the United Way of Central Massachusetts. He loved banking because it enabled him to support the local communities that he served, and he would encourage others to be generous with their time as well. Over the years, he received much recognition for his leadership and service.

Brian always reflected on how fortunate he was to have supportive mentors and the opportunity to continue growing professionally. He most enjoyed building teams of great people in the organizations he led; he was always so proud of those he worked with and treated everyone with respect and appreciation.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Marilyn (Bates) Thompson, also of Amherst. He leaves his three children: Laura and husband Matt Colleran of Hopkinton; Mark and wife Natalie Telfer of Toronto, Canada; and Matthew and wife Sarah Blank of London. He also leaves behind his seven beloved grandchildren: Taylor, Teddy, Tucker and TJ Telfer-Thompson, and Riley, Jack and Kennedy Colleran. He leaves a sister, Joanne Allen of Naples, Florida, a brother-in-law, Larry Bates and wife Dottie of Wareham, as well as many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, Richard and Marjorie Thompson of Amherst.

Brian always said he never had a bad day. He loved his work, his community, his friends and, above all, his family; Brian made his family his life. He never missed his children’s games, from youth baseball and softball through to college sports. As time passed, his focus turned to his grandchildren, with weekends and travels spent watching soccer, hockey and dance recitals. He took tremendous pride in all of the athletic, academic and professional achievements of both his children and grandchildren.

Over the years, Brian and Marilyn’s house in Chatham became a special place for the family to come together, especially over the Fourth of July holiday. He loved those moments, and his family will always cherish the memories they shared with him there.

Brian enjoyed life to its fullest and treasured each day. He loved to play golf, always wishing he was a little better than he was. He was a member of Chatham Seaside Links and Cranberry Valley Golf Course. He also loved the Red Sox and Chatham A’s, the morning paper, a coffee from Cumberland Farms, a hot beach, boat rides in Essex I and time spent with friends.

Brian is remembered for his kindness, generosity and selflessness. He would do anything to brighten the day of those around him. He will be dearly missed by his family, former colleagues and many friends.

Thank you to the UMass Memorial Medical team in Worcester, whom Brian regarded as friends, for the care he received over the past years.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Brian may be made to UMass Memorial Health in support of the Cancer Center of Excellence (leukemia designation). Give online at donate.umassmemorial.org.

Calling hours will be held Thursday, Aug. 1, from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. at Douglass Funeral Home, 87 North Pleasant Street, Amherst.

A celebration of Brian’s life will follow at 3 p.m. at the Inn on Boltwood, 30 Boltwood Avenue, Amherst.

Obituaries are submissions, typically from funeral homes, that are not subject to the same level of editorial oversight as the rest of the Hopkinton Independent. Obituaries may be edited for grammatical and factual mistakes and clarifications and shortened for space considerations.