Neil C. Thomson, 73, of 35 Shady Lane, died on Friday, February 2, 2007, in Health Alliance Hospital, Leominster after an illness.

     He leaves his wife of 43 years, Nancy V. (Bauer) Thomson; two daughters, Deborah L. Gagne and her husband Robert of Ashburnham and Julie T. Riley and her husband Andrew of Northborough; an uncle, Peter W. Hillis of Ft. Myers, Florida; and five grandchildren. He was born and raised in Glasgow, Scotland, the son of Cornelius and Charlotte (Hillis) Thomson, immigrated to the United States in 1959, and lived 32 years in West Boylston.

     Mr. Thomson graduated from Govan High School and attended college in Scotland and later attended Worcester Junior College. He worked as a Customer Service Engineer for IBM in Worcester for 25 years, retiring in 1995. Previously, he worked several years at Norton Co. in Worcester as an engineer. He was a member of the First Congregational Church of West Boylston. He enjoyed ballroom dancing, golfing, cycling, reading, and playing the bagpipes. While in Scotland, he served in the British Royal Air Force.

     A memorial service for Mr. Thomson will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, February 8, in the First Congregational Church of West Boylston, 26 Central Street. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Lung Association of Massachusetts, 460 Totten Pond Road, Waltham, MA 02451; or the First Congregational Church, 26 Central Street, West Boylston, MA 01583. Miles-Sterling Funeral Home, 100 Worcester Road, Sterling is directing arrangements.