JOHN EDWIN BJARNI THORSTEINSSON

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JOHN EDWIN BJARNI THORSTEINSSON On Monday, January 15, 2007 at the age of 82 years, John Thorsteinsson passed away after a valiant eight year struggle with Cancer. Brave and strong of mind to the end, he lived his last days with the same nobility of soul that had characterized his whole life. He shall be greatly missed by his daughter Christie Friesen and son Jon Thorsteinsson and their respective families; sister-in-law Eileen Thorsteinsson; nephews, Mark, Kris and Grant Thorsteinsson, Alan, Bruce, Jim and Tom Turner, and his dear cousin Jean Oliver of Selkirk, Manitoba. Born in Winnipeg, July 14, 1924 and first born son of Agnes and Jon Thorsteinsson, he is predeceased by his sister Helen and brother Orville (Bud). He is also predeceased by his beloved wife Beryl, who passed away December 1999. John graduated from Norwood Collegiate in 1942 and was an active member in Boys Parliament, becoming premier in 1942. At the age of 19 he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy and was sent to HMCS King's Naval College in Halifax, Nova Scotia and completed the Naval Officer's course, specializing in ASDIC (Sonar). He spent the remainder of the war on HMCS Blairmore, a minesweeper in the North Atlantic Sea. After the war he remained in the Royal Canadian Navy Reserve from 1946 to 1974, reaching the rank of Commander RCNR. After the war, he enrolled in the University of Manitoba and graduated B.SC Electrical Engineering. He enjoyed a full and rewarding professional career beginning in Brandon as plant general manager of FPE Pioneer Electric, then as vice president of the same firm, to retirement in Winnipeg from Public Works Canada in 1995 at the age of 71 years. He enjoyed also a myriad of consulting projects independently driven by his own interests. He stayed active after retirement through the APEGM, belonging on the board of the Emerging Issues Committee until his recent hospitalization December 24, 2006. Professional associations included in his life: Brandon College Director 1965 to 1970, Chairman of Finance, Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium, Member APEGM 1957 to present, President of the Naval Officers Association, Winnipeg Branch 1957 to 1958 and Honorary Life Member Wardroom Officer Mess HMCS Chippewa. John was also active in volunteer work with young people through the naval cadets in the 1950s specifically John Travers Cornwell VC at HMCS Chippewa. In the past few years he was able to revisit JTC VC, but this time as a mentor to his grandson Jordan Thorsteinsson, as he proudly watched him become cadet of the year, earn promotions and then age out. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation and gratitude to the staff of N3E and pastoral care at Concordia Hospital. Your compassion and professionalism helped ease us through a very difficult time. Thank you and God bless. A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 19, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. in the Knox Presbyterian Church, 341 Eveline St., Selkirk, Manitoba. Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 17, 2007