OWEN SOUND, Ont. — John Thompson, one of Canada’s most respected fleet owners and trucking industry advocates, died this week at St Joseph’s Hospital in Toronto.

Thompson, the longtime founder and owner of John Thompson Moving & Storage, would have turned 69 this week, the Ontario Trucking Association reports. According to his son Robbie, Thompson received bad news on his health about six weeks ago, but was in good spirits since.

OTA President David Bradley was described Thompson as a staunch supporter of the industry and OTA. “The news of John’s passing has been received with great sadness by the Ontario Trucking Association,” he said. “John was one of the great gentlemen of our industry. He was a kind, friendly man who enjoyed life and who others enjoyed sharing life with. I was very fortunate to have had the opportunity to get to know John on a personal basis through travels on various OTA study missions and through a mutual connection with Owen Sound.

“John was very loyal to OTA and will be very much missed by his many friends in the industry and by the OTA staff. On behalf of everyone at OTA I extend my deepest sympathies to Rita and the family.”

Thompson served on the OTA Board of Directors, starting in 1973. His career began as a driver with Allied Van Lines in 1960 before becoming manager of the Owen Sound office in 1964. He formed his own company, John Thompson Moving & Storage Ltd., with one moving van in1967, growing it to about 80 trucks and 100 employees by the time he retired in 1990.

In 1999, Thompson was the recipient of the OTA Trailmobile Service to Industry Award — one of the highest industry honors a trucking professional can receive. The award is presented annually and recognizes an individual who, by their commitment, vision, leadership and unstinting service, has made an outstanding contribution to the development and success of the truck transportation industry.

According to the OTA, Thompson was a generous community supporter and backed many sporting events and activities. He was a longtime sponsor of the John Thompson Jets Fastball team. And, the most popular fishing spot in Owen Sound is named “Thompson’s Hole” because of it’s proximity to Thompson’s house on the Northwest shore.

Friends and family are invited to join the family in a “Celebration of John’s Life” at the Best Western ‘Inn on the Bay’ (located at 1800 – 2nd Avenue East, in Owen Sound, ont.) on Saturday, December 15 from 2 to 6 p.m. (A special group room rate has been set up on the Friday night at the Best Western Inn on the Bay, (519) 371-9200, notifies OTA.