Thank you!
Your support is sustaining the future of local news in our communities.

Community remembers longtime Amenia firefighter Phil Thompson

Community remembers  longtime Amenia firefighter Phil Thompson
Pictured here with one of his daughters, Samantha Culligan, longtime Amenia Fire Company member Phil Thompson spent every day with his loved ones prior to his passing on Monday, Nov. 23, at the age of 71. Photo submitted

AMENIA — Having dedicated his life in service to his community, the void left in the wake of longtime Amenia Fire Company member Phil Thompson’s passing was felt not only by his loved ones and fellow firefighters, but also by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Thompson passed away at home at the age of 71 on Monday, Nov. 23, following his battle with metastatic lung cancer.

Reminiscing about the life he built in the town of Amenia, Thompson attended the former Amenia Elementary School and graduated from Webutuck High School in 1967. That same year, he joined the Amenia Fire Company alongside his father, Paul, and brother, Don. Following his graduation from Potsdam State University in 1972, Thompson channeled his degree in education to teaching math, dedicating many years of teaching at Dover Junior/Senior High School.

Genuine in his desire to help others, Thompson wore many hats in his 53 years with the Amenia Fire Company, assuming the responsibilities of firefighter, emergency medical technician (EMT) and fire prevention officer as well as treasurer, parade chairman and company historian. Recalling the company’s recognition of Thompson’s contributions and 50 years of service just a few years ago, Fire Chief Aaron Howard Jr. spoke just as highly of Thompson’s dedication as a senior EMT, fire prevention and fire safety officer as he did about Thompson’s work in planning and coordinating numerous parades and carnivals in Amenia throughout the decades.

“He was definitely a huge asset over the years,” Howard Jr. said. “He carried many different titles and positions; he did a tremendous amount of work. He will be greatly missed.”

Reaching beyond the town of Amenia, Thompson’s compassion could be seen in his choice of becoming a 911 dispatcher for the Dutchess County Bureau of Emergency Services, where he worked from 1985 until his retirement in 2011. He also offered his services as an EMT with the Amenia Rescue Squad (he was captain from 1996 to 2011), and was actively involved with Northern Dutchess Paramedics (NDP) from 1998 up to his recent passing. Even on his days off, his daughter Samantha Culligan, who lives in Amenia, said her father would keep his pager right next to him, ready to respond to any EMS call no matter the time of day.

“I felt like he cared more about others than he did about himself,” Culligan said.

Christine Thompson, Phil’s wife of 15 years, recalled a moment from the days when her future husband was courting her, when he reached out to help a woman who was struggling.

“He was a helper — he wanted to help people who needed any kind of assistance,” she said. “He didn’t like to see people struggling.”

Thompson was honored for his service as a dispatcher in 2009, when he was presented with the New York State Communications Specialist of the Year Award, the highest award a dispatcher can earn in New York State.

Hoping the community will remember how caring and compassionate her father was even after he is gone, Culligan said, “I hope that pushes some of the younger members of the community who knew him to be like him and want to serve the community in fire and EMS or other volunteering that could be done.”

When asked what she hopes her children will remember about their grandfather, Culligan said, “Just how much he loved them and that he would take the shirt off his back for them.”

Christine said that Phil loved his family, and his grandchildren, deeply.

“When he was first diagnosed, I think one of the first things he said to me was, ‘I’m not going to watch them grow up,’ and it broke his heart,” she said.

Remembering their final days, Christine said the family spent every day together, making sure they were present to show their love for each other. Thinking of the number of well-wishers who reached out to her family following her husband’s passing, she said, “I hope he knew how much he was loved.”

In special honor of Thompson, Amenia officials posthumously declared him the town’s 2020 Citizen of the Year during its annual tree lighting ceremony on Saturday evening, Dec. 5.

Latest News

Sam Lardner returns to the Northwest Corner for Vecinos Seguros 2 benefit

Sam Lardner and Barcelona will play a benefit for Vecinos Seguros 2 at Salisbury Congregational Church on Friday, July 24.

Virgo Martinez

On Friday, July 24, musician and educator Sam Lardner and his band, Barcelona, will take the stage at Salisbury Congregational Church for a benefit concert supporting Vecinos Seguros 2, an all-volunteer organization that provides emergency assistance and rapid-response support to immigrant families in Northwest Connecticut affected by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity.

Lardner, who attended and later taught at The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville before moving to Spain in 1997, still considers the Northwest Corner his home in the United States. “It’s such a special place,” he said.

Keep ReadingShow less
Karina Powers and the power of tradition

Karina Powers teaches traditional dances from Mexico in Millbrook.

Lucia Iandolo
This is an art and the arts unite nations.
—Karina Powers

Karina Powers began dancing at 4 years old. A professional dancer, singer, performer and Mexican folklore dance professor from Baja California, Mexico, she is the youngest of three sisters who were all involved in the arts. Powers now teaches traditional Mexican dances to adults through her company, Compañía De Danza Folklórica Regional Mexicana, in Millbrook. She said she has a strong passion for the history and art that exist within the dances she teaches, and she hopes to instill that passion in her students.

“Many of them have never danced this type of dance,” said Powers. “They’re from Mexico, but they came to the United States at a young age to work. They have that dream to learn, and now they have this opportunity.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Across generations at Litchfield Jazz Festival

Bucky Pizzarelli and Brandon Goldberg at the Litchfield Jazz Festival in 2017.

Lindsey Victoria Photography

The Litchfield Jazz Festival opens its 2026 season on Friday, July 24, at the Frederick Gunn School in Washington, Connecticut. The evening will feature a gala and a concert led by saxophonist Don Braden featuring the Litchfield Jazz Fest Dectet.

The festival began in 1996 and has been going strong ever since. The list of past performers reads like a who’s who of modern jazz greats, including Christian McBride, Soulive, Joshua Redman, Dave Douglas, Brad Mehldau and John Scofield, all of whom helped revive the genre for a new generation of fans at the turn of the millennium. Vocalists like Diana Krall, Dionne Warwick and Dr. John have made appearances as well. And, of course, the festival has been graced by established masters like saxophonists Sonny Rollins and Wayne Shorter; guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli; bassist Rufus Reid; drummers Roy Haynes and Tito Puente; the Preservation Hall Jazz Band; and pianists Dave Brubeck and local legend Ahmad Jamal.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

No grumbling here: Children’s theater camp returns

Danny Saed, assistant director of “Pinocchio”; his mother and co-founder of Grumbling Gryphons Leslie Elias; theater arts camper Joyce Sun; artist and counselor Natalie Resto; and Steven Sun, Joyce Sun’s father.

Jack Sheedy

Leslie Elias wants you to understand something about the group she calls Grumbling Gryphons Traveling Children’s Theater: “I like to say that we try not to grumble.”

For 46 years, she has used the nonprofit to educate and entertain children in the performing arts. Summer after summer, young campers learn about acting, singing, mask-making, costume-making and scenery painting. This year, as in years past, a five-day theater arts camp will culminate in a live performance of one of Elias’ original plays, guaranteed, she hopes, to quell all grumbling.

Keep ReadingShow less

Sea bass and shrimp gumbo

Sea bass and shrimp gumbo

Sea bass and shrimp gumbo

Bobby Graham

Each month, Dugazon owners Bobby Graham and Matthew Marden share a recipe inspired by the traditions, stories and sense of welcome at the heart of their shop in Sharon, Connecticut. Visit Dugazon at 19 W. Main St. Wednesday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and online at dugazonshop.com.

This month we’re sharing one of our favorite comfort foods: sea bass and shrimp gumbo. While gumbo has a reputation for being a labor of love, this version skips the traditional roux, making it surprisingly approachable. The ingredient list may seem long, but once everything is prepped, it comes together quickly, rewarding you with a rich, flavorful bowl that’s perfect any time of year. Many of the pantry staples you’ll need for this recipe can be found right here at Dugazon.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sweet Petunia: a benefit to support Random Harvest

Alt folk duo Sweet Petunia to perform a benefit at Random Harvest on Saturday, July 25.

Provided

On Saturday, July 25, Americana/Alt Folk duo Sweet Petunia will perform at Random Harvest in Craryville, a worker-owned market, café and community space that supports farmers and brings people together through locally sourced food. The concert comes just months after the fatal two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Route 23 and County Route 7 that devastated the hamlet, disrupted local businesses and left a lasting emotional impact on the community.

After the crash, Random Harvest remained open and committed to connecting people through food and community. Simpson said the duo looks forward to contributing to a healing experience through their music.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.