Hon. Gerald H. Thompson

Hon. Gerald H. Thompson, 89, of Dolgeville, New York, passed away peacefully on Saturday evening, October 18, 2025 at Foltsbrook Center in Herkimer, New York.

He was born on March 5, 1936 in Little Falls, New York and was the son of the late, Harry and Eva (Helterline) Thompson. Gerald attended Stratford Central School and graduated with the Class of 1952. Gerald served with the National Guard from 1957-1962 with the D Company 105the Armored Infantry and with the United State Army serving in Battalion 27th Division.

On May 30, 1987, Gerald was united in marriage to Ruth A. Dodge at the Dolgeville United Methodist Church. The couple shared nearly 30 years of marriage together when Ruth passed away on May 10, 2017.

Gerald was formerly employed in construction with the Central International Operating Engineers Local 545 for over 27 years. He then went on to work at Dolgeville Central School as head of buildings and grounds from 1981-1992 and part-time with the Town of Manheim Highway Department for over 15 years.

Gerald spent his lifetime in the judicial system as a justice for several area municipalities. He started is journey in 1966 as the Town of Stratford, New York Justice until 1983. He then went on to the Town of Manheim, New York where he served as Justice from 1982 to 2013 and was also the Town of Salisbury, New York Justice for several years as well.

He spent most of his life donating his time and volunteering with several local organizations. He was a charter member of the Dolgeville Volunteer Ambulance Corp. as well as S & S Ambulance Corp for 36 years, the Stratford Volunteer Fire Department and then joined the Dolgeville Volunteer Fire Department for 50 years, Dolgeville Exempt Fireman’s Benevolent Association, Dolgeville Masonic Lodge for over 67 years, Dolgeville Cemetery Association board for decades, Past Master of the Salisbury Grange, the New York State Magistrate’s Association, Herkimer County Magistrate’s Association, the Fulton County Magistrate’s Association and a member of the United Lutheran Presbyterian Parish of Dolgeville, NY.

In his spare time, Gerald enjoyed traveling and working. Although tough on the exterior, he had a deep love for his wife, children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his children, Lynne Darling and her husband, Gerald of Dolgeville, NY, Annette Perkins and her husband, Ronald of Gettysburg, PA, Kevin Thompson and his wife, Stacey of Cortland, NY; step-son, David VanVolkenburg and his wife, Kathy of Ilion, NY; grandchildren, Laura Darling and her husband, Joe Plock of Cohoes, NY, Caitlin Pohleven and her husband, Justin of Dolgeville, NY, Nicholas Darling of Dolgeville, NY, Matthew Perkins-Keveld and his wife, Elle of Ysplanti, MI, Jon Perkins and his wife, Amanda of Gettysburg, PA, Andrew Thompson of Marcy, NY, Allison Thompson of Cortland, NY and Leigh VanVolkenburg and his family; great-grandchildren, Zennan Perkins and Duncan Perkins of MI, Annika Perkins and Carori Perkins of Gettysburg, PA, and Charlotte Pohleven and William Pohleven of Dolgeville, NY; sisters-in-law, Judy Dodge of Dolgeville, NY and Linda Dodge of Syracuse, NY; several nieces and nephews.

Gerald was predeceased by three brothers-in-law and one sister-in-law, Wilson Dodge and his wife, Muriel, Robert Dodge and William Dodge.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, October 23, 2025 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at locally owned and family operated, Miller-Plonka Funeral Home, 30 Wolf Street, Dolgeville, New York 13329, Cremations and Funerals. During calling hours, the following groups will offer prayer services: The Dolgeville Volunteer Fire Department will hold their prayer service at 6 p.m. and the Dolgeville Masons will hold their prayer service at 6:30 p.m.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, October 24, 2025 at 10 a.m. also at Miller-Plonka Funeral Home with long-time friend and pastor, Fr. Steven A. Scarcia officiating. A graveside committal service will follow to Dolgeville Cemetery where he will be laid to rest with his parents and wife. Members of the United States Army Honor Guard will accord funeral honors at the cemetery. A Celebration of Life Reception will be held immediately following the committal service at the Dolgeville Rod and Gun Club, 697 Peckville Rd., Dolgeville, NY 13329. All services are public and all are welcome to attend.

Please consider memorial contributions for the Herkimer County Humane Society, P.O. Box 73, Mohawk, NY 13407 or MOVAC (Mohawk Valley Ambulance Corps, Inc.), 15 State Highway 5S, Mohawk, NY 13407. Please write in your check memo, “In Memory of Gerald H. Thompson” in order for the donation to be properly acknowledged.

To leave a message of sympathy for the Thompson Family, please visit www.millerplonkafuneralhome.com and sign the tribute wall or leave a photo or memory for his online memory book.

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