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Celebrating the life of
Douglas Thomson
Passed away on October 22, 2021
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Douglas Thomson, 97, died suddenly on October 22, 2021, at home in Savannah, GA. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend, Doug was a longtime Woodbury, CT resident and noted business leader with Uniroyal and The Toy Association.
Born in The Bronx, NY, he was the second son of Alexander Thomson and Katherine Constantine Thomson. He enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1942, fought in the Pacific Theater and saw significant combat, including the Battle of Peleliu. He achieved the rank of Master Sergeant.
After WWII, Doug attended Dartmouth College and then The Tuck School of Business earning a BA in 1949 and an MBA in 1950. Doug joined the Management Program at Uniroyal where he began a 27-year career achieving the position of President of the Consumer Division. While at Uniroyal he also served as an Economic Consultant to the Office of Management and Budget for the Carter Administration. His greatest accomplishment at Uniroyal, however, was meeting his beloved wife of 70 years, Betty Jane (BJ) Culver Thomson of Naugatuck, CT.
Doug later joined The Toy Association in New York where he was President, and led the organization in consumer safety and policy, public relations, and philanthropy. He won several awards in this role; he was particularly proud of being a one of the founders of the Toy Design Department at the Fashion Institute of Technology. This program has offered the world’s most prestigious degree in toy design for over 30 years.
A keen golfer, Doug shot his age regularly and played golf and tennis into his 90s. He embodied fairness, decency, and integrity on the course, on the court, and in his life. Doing the “right thing” while maintaining a sense of humor was central to who he was.
Doug leaves behind: his wife BJ; his daughter Brooke, (Andrew), and grandchildren MacKay and Miles Wilford of Savannah, GA; and his son Alex, (Kathleen) and grandchildren Ian, Sloane (Lauren) and Brooks Thomson all in the Boston area. He also leaves his extended family including his beloved nieces and nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and his great grandnephews.
A private family service will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, we encourage donations to the Dartmouth College Fund in Doug’s name. https://calltolead.dartmouth.edu
Uncle Doug was my favorite uncle. I will miss him.
- James A. Thomson, Clifton, VA
A candle has been lit!
My thoughts are with BJ, Brooke, Alex and all the rest of the family. I will always remember Uncle Doug with love.
- Jill Thomson, Rochester, New York
Condolences to the entire Thomson family. Doug was the embodiment of the greatest generation. Semper Fidelis
- Tom Timpson Constantine, Hanson, , Massachusetts
Dear Brooke, Richard and I were saddened with the news of your dad’s death. We remember Doug with great fondness for his kindness, generosity and great stories. We are thinking of you and your family and sending you our sympathy. Beth and Richard Kolehmainen
- Beth and Richard Kolehmainen, Grantham, New Hampshire
Condolences to the entire family
- George Passabet, Naugatuck, CT
Dear Betty (BJ). Lori and I reach out to you with sadness. Doug was one of the finest men we ever knew and the two of you are without equal. Please accept our love and prayers. Lori and Steve Robey
- Stephen J Robey, Cheshire, CT
Doug was a great man. So accomplished as a family man, business man and community leader. His ethics and principles were unquestioned. May he now Rest In Peace and be forever remembered for his all around accomplishments.
- Leonard Smith, Salt Lake City, Utah
Doug was a great man. So accomplished as a family man, business man and community leader. His ethics and principles were unquestioned. May he now Rest In Peace and be forever remembered for his all around accomplishments.
- Leonard Smith, Salt Lake City, Utah
Doug was a great man. So accomplished as a family man, business man and community leader. His ethics and principles were unquestioned. May he now Rest In Peace and be forever remembered for his all around accomplishments.
- Leonard Smith, Salt Lake City, Utah
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
- Services Will Be Private