Kenneth Thompson

Former Staten Island resident and master jeweler Kenneth R. Thompson, 92, died Monday in the Wilkes-Barre (Pa.) VA Medical Center.

Born in Norway, Mr. Thompson moved with his family to Brooklyn when he was a child. He relocated to Staten Island during the 1940s where he remained in Prince's Bay until moving to Pennsylvania with his daughter in 2004.

A former sergeant in the U.S. Army, he served in five campaigns during World War II, taking part in the Battle of the Bulge. He received many medals and honors, including the Silver Star and the Bronze Star.

He was also a member of the 99th Norwegian/American Viking Battalion Ski Troopers, and the American Legion.

Upon his return from the war, he became a master jeweler working in various jewelry stores, including Tiffany & Co. and Cartier. He also helped to run Anderson's Annex and Anderson's Beach House, Prince's Bay.

After retiring in the 1980s, he furthered his love of seafood by working at Pier 76, St. George, and the Barge, Sayerville, N.J., as a seafood cook.

Up until the last months of his life, he enjoyed making and distributing holiday earrings for family, friends, and strangers, free of charge.

His wife, the former Bernice Auslend, died in 1997. His daughter, Janet Lisa Thompson, died in 1982.

Surviving are his son, Kenneth Thompson Jr.; one daughter, Barbara D'Addesa; two sisters, Thelma Danielsen and Ellen Dennis; six grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be Saturday at 11 a.m. in the Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, Tottenville. Arrangements include cremation.

Services: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home Saturday, October 13,2012 11:00AM

Visitation: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home Thursday, October 11,2012 7-9PM & Friday, October 12,2012 2-4 & 7-9PM

Cemetery: Cremation Will Be Private

Location: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home

Church: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home