Starting back in the 1960s, Roy volunteered with a friend to work with a local youth basket- ball league, which began an interest and a solid career of public service for the citizens of Adams. During subsequent years he officiated at local school basketball, football, and additional youth sports leagues and semi-professional softball.
Roy served as a member and then an officer of the Adams Alert Hose Company for 26 years, where he learned to take action in order to get things done. He began service to the town of Adams when he was appointed to the Redevelopment Authority in 1973 to fill a vacancy. Roy was then appointed to the Board of Health in 2000 where he served until 2016. In addition to the Board of Health, Roy has been a Town Meeting Member, holding this position from 2004 until 2009, where he provided representation for the residents of his district in elections.

As Vice-President and producer of the Northern Berkshire Community Television Corporation, Roy continues to be an active voice in politics on the local access television show, “Hardline.” He has focused on national and local politics, and interviewed the Adams Town Administrator and candidates for the state House of Representatives and the Berkshire County Sheriff’s Office.

In addition to his public service Roy Thompson has always been a strong advocate for animals. He founded the Adams Friends of Animals, which provided a food pantry for pets in Adams, and has formed connections with both local businesses and an area animal hospital to receive donations. He has initiated an avenue for the community to help others in need, especially during winter months when there may be higher bills and fewer funds available to feed pets. Most notably, in 2010 Roy received The Margery and William Barrett Public Service Award, which represented four decades of public service to the citizens of Adams. With the funds received from this award, as well as money donated to the Adams Friends of Animals, Roy created the Roy Thompson Scholarship Fund to support students from Berkshire County interested in studying field in animal medicine. Roy’s love for animals is a legacy that will carry on. Roy was recently awarded the Adams Town Report.

Roy has two lovely daughters, Liz Reeves and Jackie Thompson, and lives with his wife of 55 years, Virginia Thompson. He has served decades of his life to support the town of Adams, its residents and their pets with knowledge, time, information, and dedication that is well worth gratitude and recognition.