Peter Meldrim Thomson

Peter Meldrim Thomson, a dedicated public servant, family man, and passionate maple syrup producer, passed away on January 3, 2023, at the age of 81. Born on November 7, 1941, in Stonybrook, Long Island, New York, Peter moved to Orford, New Hampshire with his family in 1954 and graduated from Orford High School in 1959. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Education from Plymouth State College in 1963. Throughout his career, Peter dedicated himself to serving the people of New Hampshire. He began his public service as a teacher at Warren Village School in 1965. He later served as Chief of Staff to his father, Governor Meldrim Thomson, a role he held until 1978. He then was appointed by President Reagan and then by President Bush as the New Hampshire State Director of the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service. In 1993, Peter was appointed by Governor Steve Merrill to the post of Director of the New Hampshire Highway Safety Agency, an office he would hold for many years, through multiple appointments by both Republican and Democrat governors. He retired from public life in 2015. Peter was also deeply involved in the Orford community, serving in various roles including the Orford Town Budget Committee. He also served as the Orford Town Moderator for 38 years until his retirement in 2016 from that position, making him one of the longest serving town moderators in state history. Peter was a member of the New Hampshire Maple Producers Association and the New Hampshire Brown Swiss Association. He was also a faithful attendee of Baker River Bible Church in Wentworth. In addition to his career in public service, Peter was also a passionate maple syrup farmer. He loved working in the sugar bush at his beautiful Mt. Cube Farm in Orford, boiling the sap in the sugar house and bottling the "amber gold" that resulted. Mt. Cube maple syrup was enjoyed by people all across the nation and the world, and some of his family's dearest memories include working with Peter in the sugar house, smelling the sweet aroma of the boiling sap, and savoring the taste of the hot maple syrup. Peter is survived by his three children, Bill Thomson of Miami, Florida; Moriah Gilbert of Louisville, Kentucky; and Simon Thomson of Merrimack, New Hampshire; as well as his former wife Glyneta Thomson, ten grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. Peter is also survived by his five siblings, David Thomson, Thomas Thomson, Marion Spottswood, Janet Dorf and Robb Thomson. He will be missed by all who knew him. Throughout his life, Peter professed faith in Jesus Christ. In his passing, we take comfort in the words of Jesus: "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die." (John 11:25) A memorial service is being planned for the upcoming summer. Donations in Peter's honor can be made to one of his favorite organizations, the Future Farmers of America .

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Peter Meldrim Thomson

November 7, 1941 - January 3, 2023