John Delano Thompson

John Delano Thompson passed away peacefully at St. Peter's Hospital in Hamilton, Ontario on September 2, 2024, after a short illness with cancer, at the age of 78. Born and raised in Toronto. John was predeceased by his parents Jack and Muriel (nee Arnold) Thompson.

John spent many of his earlier years at his grandparent’s farm in Bruce County. His love of trains and photography was recognized at a very young age.

John attended Northern Secondary School, studied journalism at the University of Toronto and, later, creative writing at Metropolitan Toronto University (formerly Ryerson). He joined the senior staff on the Toronto Transit Commission in 1977, and for many years was the assistant editor of the TTC's Employees Magazine, The Coupler, as well as performing public relations and archival duties. Upon retiring from the TTC, John, pursued his career as a freelance writer and part time editor for more than twenty years, writing numerous articles for the Toronto Star newspaper, and for many trade publications including the US trade magazine Railway Age (Canadian correspondent for many years).

John not only had long-time association with various railway, marine and historical associations, but he was also constant and prolific writer of articles and contributor to the publication of these various organizations, foremost of which was the Upper Canada Railway Society in Toronto (joined in 1961 as a young teenager) and its Hamilton Chapter, and The Toronto Transportation Society, both until he passed away. Other organizations include the Electric Railway Association (New York City) providing Canadian news to their magazine Headlights, Bytown Railway Society (Ottawa), Canadian Railway Historical Association (Montreal), Toronto Marine Historical Society, and in the past the Toronto Marine Museum.

John travelled extensively in Canada and the USA, photographing many transit operations in numerous cities, and being an accomplished photographer, John was well known for producing pictures for many publications and providing slide programs for various club and organization meetings. He was well known for his many informal and impromptu gatherings at his Hamilton residence where one and all were welcome. His invitation to these very enjoyable gatherings always commenced with the salutation " Greetings comrades . . .followed by a description of who would be attending, " . . . the usual usual louts, thugs and low lifes . ."; John had a good sense of humour, was outgoing, always prepared to give a helping hand. He will be greatly missed by the many that knew him.

A Celebration of John's Life will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at 1:00pm until 4:00pm, at the Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology Pumping Station – The Woodshed, 900 Woodward Ave, Hamilton, Ontario. Proceedings will begin at 1:30pm." Light refreshments will be served.