Joseph “Harvey” Thompson, 78, of Avenue died Nov. 16, 2009, at St. Mary’s Hospital. Born Aug. 3, 1931, at his home in Palmer, he was the son of the late Leonard Allen and Mary Edith Thompson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Frances Thompson. He is survived by six children; 15 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren; including Linda Gough of Chaptico, her spouse, Frank, and his daughter, Kenza, Linda’s children, Justin and his friend, Vicki, his daughter, Mikayla, Tyler and his fiancee, Lisa, and Brett Ellie and their father, Ken Ellie; Cindy Thompson of Alexandria, Va., and her children, Ashley, Taylor and Anthony; and Mike Thompson of Mechanicsville, his spouse, Nancy, their children, Jessica and her fiance Patrick, and Christopher Thompson; Dale Thompson of Dawsonville, Ga.; Jay Thompson of Mechanicsville, his spouse, Rose, children, Monica Laws and her spouse, Jason, his daughter, Kaitlin, their children, L.J. and Leann Laws, Alan and Amber Thompson; and Jimmy Thompson of Oakville, his spouse, Melissa, her son, Lee Payne, and their children, Briscoe and Layne Thompson. He was a lifelong resident of Avenue. He graduated from St. Mary’s Academy. He served in the U.S. Army and retired from the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company after 33 years of service. He was a member of the Seventh District Optimists and was past commander of the American Legion Post 221 in Avenue. He owned a home in Belleview, Fla., where he and his companion, Judy Corbeille, would spend their winters. He loved to play the slots and was always ready to go to the casinos. He will be remembered as a kind, loving and funny man who could tell you a hundred stories about his life and others in the Seventh District. The family will receive friends and a Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 10 a.m. at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Avenue. Memorial contributions can be made to the Seventh District Volunteer Rescue Squad and the American Legion Post 221 in Avenue.