Albert S. Tompa, Ph.D., 77, of Indian Head, Maryland died November 2, 2008 at his home. Born in Trenton, N.J., he was the son of the late Alexander Tompa and the late Veronika Tompa. He graduated from Trenton Catholic Boys High School and received an academic scholarship to St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He received his bachelor of science degree from St. Joseph’s University with a major in chemistry and a minor in philosophy. He was awarded a teaching assistantship in chemistry to Fordham University in the Bronx, New York where he received his masters and doctorate degrees. For forty years he was employed by the Department of the Navy as a chemist focusing on the thermal characteristics of energetic and polymeric materials. He presented numerous scientific papers at governmental and defense contractor meetings, had eighty technical papers published, and had several patents. While at Fordham, he met his future wife, Dolores, who was a pharmacy student. They got engaged at the Fordham Chapel and were married June 1, 1957 in St. Rose of Lima Church, Manhattan, celebrating their golden wedding anniversary last year. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children: Maureen, Mary Kay, William, Christopher, and Gregory, and fifteen grandchildren. Albert and Dolores had a great relationship and took over a dozen trips to the British isles, Europe, Russia, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Scandanavia.
He was ordained a deacon in the Catholic Church on June 8, 2002 and served at St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Indian Head, Md. In addition to his diaconate duties (baptisms, marriage service, wakes), he served as a Eucharistic minister, lector, marriage preparation team member, Christian family movement member, and RCIA team member. He always had a strong reverence for the Holy Eucharist and hoped that when he retired he would be able to serve the Lord more effectively. The diaconate program was the answer to his prayers.
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