Obituary of John Thorsen

Left this life peacefully, March 18, 2013 at St. Mary's Hospital with his wife Elizabeth at his side. He will be dearly missed by daughters Kirsten, Annelis (David Thorsen-Cavers and wonderful granddaughter Zoë) and Brenda. Pre-deceased by his brother Jan, John will be fondly remembered by his brother-in-law, Wood Hill (Mary Ruby), Cousin Pat McGregor, his seven nieces as well as cousins in Denmark and Ontario and his many friends. John was in the first graduating class of Ryerson's journalism programme and soon found his way to Recreation, serving in Lindsay and Cobourg before heading to Yukon where he was Director of Recreation and a founding director of the Arctic Winter Games. Returning to Ontario, he spent many years working with Provincial Sport and Recreation governing bodies, Canada Games and participating in the international sport initiatives of the Provincial Government. Those who knew John will also remember him for his remarkable capacity to retain information, no matter how trivial, as well as his encyclopaedic knowledge of Canadian sport, from the professional ranks right down to local high school results. A service to celebrate John's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. (gathering starting at 1:30) Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at Knox Presbyterian Church, 50 Erb St. W, Waterloo, followed by a reception in the church hall. The family will receive family and friends at home the following Wednesday, March 27 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. and request that visitors call or e-mail in advance. In lieu of flowers, as expressions of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to Médecins Sans Frontières, Canadian Wildlife Federation or the Canadian Red Cross, arrangements for which may be made through the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King Street South, Waterloo, www.erbgood.com, 519-745-8445 and written condolences may also be left at their website. Special thanks to the caring staff in the Chest Unit at St. Mary's.