Roy Thompson remembered for his faith, generosity and love of family

Georgia Whiteley|Aug 28, 2026|
Eternal Impact: Roy Thomson’s legacy exists not just in awards, buildings and organisations but also in the countless lives he has touched through his generosity.

SEATS were packed to celebrate Sunshine Coast philanthropist Roy Francis Thompson OAM at Stella Maris Church yesterday.

Hundreds gathered from every walk of life including family, friends, individuals and representatives of the many organisations which Mr Thompson and his wife Nola Thompson impacted.

Among the dignitaries and representatives gathered were also Federal MP Ted O’Brien and Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli.

Making a difference: Fr Peter Brannelly notes in his homily that Mr Thompson was a gift from God, “his life gave life”.

Parish priest Fr Peter Brannelly presided over the funeral and spoke of Mr and Mrs Thompson’s “remarkable love story”, both passing away just days apart.

“We can’t celebrate Roy’s life without connecting him to Nola,” Fr Brannelly said.

The pair were married for almost 70 years, with eight children, 15 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.

His grandchildren shared in their tribute that Mr Thompson “died of a broken heart”.

“There is something incredibly sad but also deeply beautiful about the fact that after sharing almost an entire lifetime, they left this world only days apart,” they said.

Happily Married: The Thompson’s spent a “lifetime together”, just shy of their 70th wedding anniversary.

“It feels almost impossible to imagine one without the other and perhaps they could not either.”

His family shared that the Thompson’s never missed a birthday, anniversary or special event.

“His greatest legacy is his family and the people whose lives have been touched.”

“Pop”: Mr Thompson’s family share their favourite memories, saying beyond his achievements, the greatest thing about him was the way he loved his family.

Many people knew him as a philanthropist, property developer, businessman and carpenter.

“He was a man who came from humble beginnings and understood the value of hard work,” his granddaughter Nicky shared.

He was someone who worked hard, took risks, gave generously and loved his family, she said.

Born in Colac Victoria, he was the youngest of four children.

He began a cabinet maker apprenticeship at just 16 and built his parents a home by 20.

By 24 he had already built and sold his first house.

He established pioneer homes from 1959 to 1964 and continued to build, purchase and develop properties and businesses across Queensland, including the Chifley’s Hotel, Wayamba Resort, Settler’s Cove Noosa, Mooloolaba Hotel and Kallangur Hotel.

The Thompson’s “believed strongly in giving back” quietly supporting “organisations and causes across the Sunshine Coast and beyond”, his grandson Shayne said.

“You begin to wonder, is there a section of the Sunshine Coast that he didn’t touch, even this church,” he said

“What we do know is how happy it made them to give back to their community and how much they enjoyed seeing the fruits of all of that labour.”

Supporting Education: The Thompson’s helped fund the University of the Sunshine Coast car park in 2014 and Thompson Institute building in 2018. Photo:

By 2017, Mr Thompson became Queensland Higher Education Philanthropist of the year, donating $15 million to the University of the Sunshine Coast, ranking him number three in the Sunshine Coast power 100 that same year.

Roy also donated millions to his Catholic community, Stella Maris Parish and School, helping to build the new Maroochydore church in 2017, covering the $440,000 quote.

Former parish priest Fr Joe Duffy said that donation is one of the reasons they have the church today.  

The following year he was appointed one of the country’s highest honours; Companion of the Order of Australia.

Faithful Giving: Over the years the Thompson’s gave generously to Maroochydore Parish, one of the reasons the church was able to be rebuilt.

In his homily, Fr Brannelly said Mr Thompson “in his own way” accepted God’s call to “become an instrument of the good news”.

“Ultimately, Roy was a person of faith, conscious of being a simple pilgrim trying in his own way to run the race, fight the fight, keep the faith.”

Nola Thompson passed away on Thursday July 30 at age 90 from ovarian cancer, eight days later on Friday August 7, Mr Thompson passed away “peacefully” at the age of 95.