Local business leader Jeff Thompson, who chaired the committee that ran the Great Joliet Prison Break-In event in August, died Saturday.

Thompson, 62, headed Northern Insurance Service, a Joliet-based company.

He also made a mark helping start festivals ranging from the Naperville Ribfest, serving as the chairman for its debut festival in 1988, to the Great Joliet Prison Break-In, which served as the grand reopening in August for the old Joliet Correctional Center.

“He loved being around people, and I think that he enjoyed coming up with these ideas and seeing them develop,” said his son, John.

Thompson died of a heart attack during a hunting trip with friends in South Dakota.

In addition to his son, Thompson is survived by his wife, Nancy; and daughter, Mary. Thompson lived in Joliet, where he grew up.

He was working in the insurance business in Naperville and was a member of that town’s Exchange Club when it organized the first Naperville Ribfest to raise money for a local shelter for abused women.

“There was always a cause behind these events,” John said.

The Great Joliet Prison Break-In attracted 3,500 people and raised $137,000.

Thompson was the chairman of the committee that organized the prison event. He also was among the organizers of the first New Orleans North event and was instrumental in starting Fiesta En La Calle.

The Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry already had planned to honor Thompson and others involved in the events with Rabbi Hershman Community Service Awards at the annual dinner in January, chamber President Mary Jaworski said.

Jaworski, also a longtime friend of Thompson, said his death “was a complete and total shock.” She described Thompson as “probably the most spirited person I ever met. He had the most positive attitude. He had such great leadership ability that everybody jumped on board.”

Thompson started Northern Insurance in 2005 in Joliet. He had previously become a partner with the Cornolo Agency in Lockport and moved that business to Joliet.

The family plans to have visitation from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Joliet followed by a Mass at 1 p.m.