JAMES CAHILL THOMSON, 89, affectionately known as Uncle Jimmy Beach and Jimmy “Two Canes”, passed away on June 13, 2026 embraced in the arms and hearts of his family and friends.  During the course of his life he was a devoted son, brother, uncle and friend.  His passing leaves a hole in many hearts.

Born in East Lansing, Michigan he moved to Cranford, NJ at the age of two.  He attended St. Michael’s Grammar School in Cranford and St. Benedicts Prep School in Newark.  His pride in being a St. Benedict’s graduate lasted his entire life.

He served in the Army National Guard of New Jersey, honorably discharged in 1960.

He went on to earn a business degree from Seton Hall University and had a distinguished career in National Account Sales with St. Regis Paper Company, Mead Corporation, and Stone Container selling the companies’ corrugated (please don’t call it cardboard) packaging to clients such as DuPont and Proctor & Gamble.

He was enormously proud of his Scottish and Irish heritage and his LGBTQ and AA communities.

To say that Jimmy was devoted to his family would not be adequate.   His grateful family has lost a champion.

To say that Jimmy was a devoted friend would not be adequate.  The number of heart-broken friends who have reached out with kind words and memories has overwhelmed his family.  He is famous for his birthday and anniversary cards – literally hundreds sent out every year.  Once you met Jimmy he was your friend forever.

Jimmy was predeceased by his parents, Robert and Mary Thomson, his brother Edward Thomson, his brother and sister-in-law Robert Thomson and Suzanne Thomson Monahan, his brother-in-law Phil Monahan, his brother-in-law Theodore Wasky, nephews Peter Thomson and Michael Thomson, and his partner of 50 years Roger Peterson.

His sister Mary Janet Wasky and sister-in-law Joan Thomson survive him, as well as his nieces Mary McDowell (Bob), Gail Diver (Jim), Janet Machak (Gregg), Karen Flannery (Jeff), Christine McNally (Michael), Colleen Tucker (Bob) and Kelly Freitag (Todd), and his nephews Ted Wasky (Mary), Bob Thomson (Tina), David Thomson (Kathleen) and Rob Thomson (Kerry) and many great and grand nieces and nephews.

Jimmy is also survived by his life-long friend William (Bill) Powers.  Bill and Jimmy met at three years old.  They shared many escapades together. Bill was devoted to making Jimmy’s life easier when his health was compromised.  A better friend could not be found.

A memorial Mass will be held on Thursday June 18, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Saint Anselm, 1028 Wayside Rd., Tinton Falls, NJ.  Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers donations can made in memory of James C Thomson to Office of Advancement, St. Benedict’s Preparatory School, P.O. Box 845320, Boston, MA 02284-5320 or to The Center of Asbury Park, 806 Third Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ 07712.