It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Francis Daniel ‘Wayne’ Thompson, late of Prince Albert, SK on May 1^st, 2023, at the age of 84 years. Francis Daniel ‘Wayne’ Thompson was born May 13^th, 1938, at the Saskatoon City Hospital to Evelyn Aitken and John Thompson. He moved around a fair amount in his early years, having lived in Regina, then Birch Hills, and then back to Saskatoon where he started school at Caswell School. While living in Saskatoon he lived with his grandparents as his dad traveled a lot for work. In 1945 they moved to Davis. After Wayne’s dad passed away in 1947 the family moved to Prince Albert in 1948. In 1957 Wayne started working for the Prince Albert Daily Herald where he worked from 1957 – 1960. Wayne met Judy MacDonald in 1958. Judy graduated high school in June, and they were married in July 1963. They had three children: Tracy, John Daniel (who passed away in infancy), and Candace.

In mid-1960 and into 1961 Wayne worked with his stepfather Roy building manholes for McMillan Brothers. In July of 1961, Wayne started working at North Park Center in nursing as a group aide. He worked there for about 2 years and then started working in Recreation. Wayne got his Recreation Certificate through Parks & Recreation. When he left that department, he moved to Occupational Therapy for about 2 weeks and then got his permanent position in Stores where he remained until August of 1987 when he retired at 49 years of age.

Wayne built his first car when he was a teenager. He was one of the first members of Car Clubs in Prince Albert. The first group had roughly 17 members and when they had a meeting there were 17 customer cars parked out on the street. At the time individualization was the goal. There were Hot Rods and Customs back then. Lots of the customs ended up turning into Hot Rods eventually. Over the years Wayne created roughly 20+ custom cars, trucks, and even motorcycles. Some were created and sold within less than a year. One day they had 14 cars in the yard. When it was time to pick up Judy from work, he had to take the show car (a 38 Chev) because he had sold all the cars in the yard including their everyday car.

Wayne had been a musician since he was 17 years old. He learned to play piano, guitar, and bass – all self-taught. He played with many different bands over the years including the Rhythm Kings, the Silver Tones, The Polka Pals, Norm’s Rhythm Rangers, Pulp City Pioneers, and Club 5.  Around the time that Wayne retired from the North Park Center, he started playing the keyboard by himself and toured the seniors’ homes until 2015. In addition to the many bands that Wayne played with he spent 13 years working with the Winter Festival. He was with the stage band Club 5 at the time and then performed at the Orpheum Theatre for 3 years.

During the CB radio craze, Wayne opened T and C Enterprises where he did stereo, radio, and CB radio repairs outside of our home. Once the CB craze was over and there was a lack of business, he changed focus and opened Poor Boys Cycle.  For the first 5 years, Poor Boys focused on motorcycles after which Volkswagens were added and then he changed focus to work strictly on Volkswagens. Poor Boys remained open until 2003.  Wayne was a Hamm Radio Operator from 1992 until shortly before he passed away. Back in 1979 he tried to get his license but didn’t make it on the code part. He wasn’t told that he had a year to pick up the code, so he dropped it until the interest perked back up in 1992. He was also a registered Locksmith and a Communication Radio Technician.

In 2014, Wayne started making jewelry as something different to do. He made a multitude of different rings, bracelets, necklaces, and assorted trinkets. He was a man of many talents and will be greatly missed by many.

Wayne was survived by his children Tracy (Susan) Thompson, & Candace (Dwayne) Naigle; his grandchildren Colby, James (Angela), Sera Thompson, & Mykayla Naigle; his brothers Ron (Anne) Thompson, & George MacDonald; his sisters Adrienne Shier, Betty Walker, & Sheree MacDonald; His brother-in-law Vernon (Gloria) MacDonald; his sisters-in-law Cathy (Mac) Killoran, & June (Joe) MacIsaac; as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great-nephews.

Wayne is predeceased by his wife Judith “Judy” Lynn Thompson; his father John Daniel Thompson; his mother Evelyn Jessie Gwendolyn Aitken; his stepfather Roy Alexander MacDonald; & his infant son John Daniel Thompson.

A Funeral Service will be held for Wayne on Friday, May 5^th, 2023, at 1:30 PM at MacKenzie Chapel, with interment at Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Prince Albert, SK. Condolences can be sent to the family on our website at www.mackenziechapel.ca.  Arrangements in care of MacKenzie Chapel & Crematorium.  Brian & Bev Stobbs, Mark Gyoerick – Mel Curle. 306.763.8488.

• Date : 2023-03-01
• Location : Prince Albert, SK