Obituary of Thor Jorgensen

Thor Anker Jorgensen died on Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at his home following a long illness with Alzheimer’s disease. He was 83 years old. Born in Reykjavik, Iceland on April 6, 1939, Thor grew up in Norway. His lifelong pride in his Scandinavian heritage inspired him to serve in the Norwegian Navy until he immigrated to the United States in 1961. He stayed connected to his home country and the heritage he was proud of by working his way up from cleaning airplanes to various senior positions at IcelandAir and the Scandinavian Tourist Board.

He married Ingeborg Fritz in 1963, and they raised their two children, Thor and Stephanie, in Lincoln Park, New Jersey. When Thor learned Lincoln Park didn’t have a youth soccer team, he started a league for the children in the community to play soccer. He was also an avid tennis player who hit the courts almost every day but, as hard as he tried, he was unable to pass his enthusiasm on to his grandchildren. The friendships he developed serving at the tennis club lasted a lifetime.

Thor’s love of animals was just one example of his gentle and caring heart. His family will miss his sense of humor and hopes he is sharing his quirky puns in Valhalla. 

He is predeceased by his son, Thor Nicholas, and is survived by his wife Ingeborg, daughter Stephanie (Jim), daughter-in-law Michele, lifelong family friend Nick Kingsland (Nessa),  grandchildren Gabrielle, Sophia, and Maximilian, and great-granddaughter, Myla. 

As the Vikings said, “Until Valhalla—there’s no greater distinction in life than to die with honor and valor.”

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, March 11, from 10am to 1pm at Keri Memorial Funeral Home in Lincoln Park, NJ. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Alzheimer's Association .