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HERMAN OLAFUR THORVALDSON
Born: Jun 15, 1934
Date of Passing: Apr 15, 2023
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryHERMAN OLAFUR THORVALDSON
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our dear father, Herman on April 15, 2023.
Over the last few months, he had been in the hospital with challenging health issues - and true to his strong, Icelandic resilient nature - fought very hard to overcome them. In the end, we believe he was at peace knowing that it was time for him to stand down from the fight. He passed away peacefully in his sleep just before midnight.
Lovingly remembered by daughters, Jocelyn (Greg) Dunstan and Karen Banfield; granddaughters, Alexandra and Mackenzie Banfield; brother Albert (Anne) Thorvaldson; sisters, Evelyn Allen and Margaret Holman; stepson Jared (Brooke) Longstaffe and children, Jessica and Hunter - along with many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Predeceased by his parents, Lilja and Thorvaldur (Valdi); wife Rose Thorvaldson; beloved son Jason Thorvaldson; brothers, Thor, Lawrence and Ross Thorvaldson and ex-wife, business partner and friend Julia Thorvaldson.
Born in Riverton, MB to parents of Icelandic descent, our father and his family eventually moved to Winnipeg where he completed his high school education at Kelvin High School. He started working for Famous Players movie theatres at the age of 17 as an usher at both the Osborne and Capitol theatres. Management soon discovered he had the aptitude to learn the financial books and by doing so, he was transferred to their theatre in Brandon, MB. At the age of 19, Famous Players considered him to be the youngest theatre manager in Western Canada. In his lengthy theatre career (1951 to 1980), he was the manager of the newly opened Polo Park cinema, Gaiety, Colony and Capitol theatres.
His artistic creativity enabled him to learn to manually design the theatre advertisements for the newspapers when the advertising manager was on vacation during the summers. He and our mother, Julia won several awards for designing special displays for movies - the most cherished one being from Walt Disney for the movie ‘Fantasia’. During that time for a few years while on a break from Famous Players, he became a programmer and eventually the office manager at National Cash Register.
His life took on a new direction in 1959, when at the age of 25 years, he and his parents went into partnership together and founded the ‘Thorvaldson Nursing Homes’. A privately owned heavy care nursing home with 30 residents. That same year, he became a founding member of the Nursing Home Association of Manitoba (now called Long Term & Continuing Care Association of Manitoba) holding the position of chairman from 1962 to 1978. In 1977, he was also a founding member of the Canadian Long Term Care Association.
In the late 1970s, the decision was made to sell the nursing home and move the business to Stradbrook Avenue where we converted to a facility that catered to those elderly who required a lower level of care as compared to a nursing home. In the mid-1990s, the older original homes on the property were torn down and replaced by our existing Thorvaldson Care Centre. Our father was instrumental in the design of our new building and helped to oversee the construction. He, along with our mother Julia as administrator, were deeply devoted and committed to caring for the elderly at a particularly vulnerable stage of their lives.
His dream and vision was to offer a new and unique model of ‘Intermediate’ care for the elderly in a non-institutional, home-like environment to enable them to enjoy a high quality of life in the community for as long as possible. We estimate that over the course of the last 64 years of caring for the elderly - our family has offered a safe haven for thousands of residents, along with peace of mind for their many family members
For many decades, our father had been pro-active in advocating for the elderly in our province by strongly encouraging the government to formally recognize the great necessity and demand for this unique Intermediate model of care. While we continue to remain hopeful, it was most unfortunate that after his many years of service, advocacy and devotion, he was not able to see his decades long vision of being formally recognized come to fruition.
Our father was a gentle soul with a kind and generous heart. Forever young at heart, he will fondly be remembered for his charming nature, quick wit and sense of humour. He cared deeply for his family, and so many wonderful times and joyful memories were shared together with him. He was larger than life, and it felt like the room shone brighter when he was there. Over the years, when things became challenging, our father’s strong determination, direction and work ethic, always managed to pull us through. Failure or giving up was just not an option for him. His enduring strength and resilience was instilled in us, his children, from a very young age.
He warmly touched many lives during the course of his life. Not only are we very proud to have had him as our father and our friend, but feel it was an absolute gift and privilege to work alongside him for so many years. We will continue to carry on his wonderful legacy with grace and pride.
A heartfelt thank you to the thoughtful and caring staff at our Care Centre for your love and support to our father and family during this challenging time. As well, to the staff at the Health Sciences Centre (GH4) for your assistance and kindness over these past few months.
Rest easy in gentle peace, dearest dad. After so many years of caring for others, this final peaceful journey is very well deserved. You are so loved and will be very greatly missed.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday May 10, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. at Neil Bardal Funeral Centre - 3030 Notre Dame Ave. For those wishing to watch the livestream webcast of the service, please see the details on our father’s memorial page at www.neilbardalfuneralhome.com
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 29, 2023
Condolences & Memories (11 entries)
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'Such sad news ... Herman had a full, colorful life. Knowing him for over 40 years, he was a fighter and always found a positive in every challenge. He cared for so many residents over so many years and found enjoyment in fraternizing with them. His personality was to not judge, see the better in everyone, offer help, and be generous with encouragement and attitude. I will dearly miss him, and images of him at his desk and around the Care Home will be with me evermore ... so difficult to believe he is no longer here. Jocelyn & Karen: Hold tight to the memories. Fondly, Debra Litkowich :) - Posted by: Debra Litkowich (Friend) on: May 04, 2023
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To the entire Thorvaldson family, we send you love and strength at this very sad time. Your dad was an inspiration, a visionary who recognized the need for intermediate level care in our community, and made it happen. Thanks to his passion and strong work ethic, thousands of seniors have thrived in the loving, family environment that is Thorvaldson's. No matter how busy he was, he always made time to visit, add a few pieces to the jigsaw puzzle, or share a funny story. He is surely at peace knowing that his dream and his legacy will continue under the capable leadership of Jocelyn and Karen. Rest well, Mr. Thorvaldson - Posted by: DEBORAH OBRAY (Daughter of former resident (2011-2022)) on: May 01, 2023
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My sincere condolences to Jocelyn, Karen & family on the loss of your father. He was undoubtedly, a great man I met Herm at work at National Cash Register in 1957. We became good friends and remained to the day of his death. Herm was a hard & smart worker and possessed a lot of "common sense". His life consisted of his family and his nursing home enterprise. He was a great man always pleasant, diplomatic and full of enthusiasm regardless of the shortfalls - he was tenacious and never gave up. Herm I will miss our short visits in person or telephone for the last 66 years and hope you are as well treated as you treated us all wherever you may be. May God take good care of you. Your friend forever, Fabien - Posted by: Fabien Desmarais (Best Friend) on: May 01, 2023
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My condolences to Karen, Jocelyn and family. My father John was a resident at Thorvaldson's in 2006 and 2007, and received great care. I enjoyed sitting and chatting with Herman in his office when I would visit. He was such a nice and interesting man. May he rest in peace. - Posted by: Glenn Bigourdin (Son of former resident) on: Apr 30, 2023
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I am saddened to learn of Mr Thorvaldson's death. My sincere condolences to the family. My very first job was as an Usherette at the Gaiety Theatre and Mr Thorvaldson was my boss. He was a lovely man and very professional. We were reacquainted a couple of years ago when I discovered that I had moved into the building where he lived. We had great chats and reminisced about our Gaiety Theatre days. Rest In Peace. - Posted by: Carolyn Beauchemin (acquaintance) on: Apr 29, 2023
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We are sorry for your loss. He was a wonderful neighbour at 188 Roslyn Road. We miss our conversations - Posted by: Lorraine and Gerry Cairns (Neighbors at 188 Roslyn Road ) on: Apr 29, 2023
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Herman was my first cousin whom I never really knew. My mother who is deceased was Herman’s father’s baby sister. Her name was ‘OLINA’ …the youngest of the original THORVALDSON Riverton family of thirteen children. I visited Winnipeg (my birthplace) a few years ago and dropped in to meet Herman. As an adult. He was the ultimate gentleman and I saw his gentle spirit. I briefly met his daughters. I am a retired RN and having worked in many Long Term Care places…both in the U.S. and Canada…I could see at a glance the “classiness“ of the establishment and felt so proud to see the THORVALDSON legacy of dedicated caring so beautifully represented. Rest in Peace to a family member I never knew. And kind condolences to his grieving family. Sincerely, Nancy Hummel (nee BEST). - Posted by: Nancy Hummel (First cousin) on: Apr 29, 2023
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Jocelyn, Karen and family, my deepest and heartfelt sympathy in the passing of your father. He was the first point of contact when we were looking for a place for Mom and was very engaging. Always friendly and willing to help in any way he could. His life was a life well lived. - Posted by: Susan Lemoine (Daughter of former resident) on: Apr 29, 2023
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Dear Thorvaldson family extending our deepest and heartfelt sympathy on the passing of their dear father Herman Thorvaldson. Thank you sharing this wonderful tribute of his exceptional commitment and service to his community Quite the visionary in his early days in the arts, he leaves an enduring legacy of care and compassion for Manitobans in need of personal care. So very sorry for your loss. Wishing you all peace and comfort in the days ahead. Lynda Ruban staff and friends at the HSC Foundation. - Posted by: Lynda Ruban (staff at Health Sciences Centre Foundation) on: Apr 29, 2023
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So sorry for your loss Jocelyn, Karen and families. We met in 2018 when my parents were lucky enough to be admitted to Thorvaldson’s. Your family and staff have been incredibly caring and loving throughout the years. Thank you so much. - Posted by: Brigitte DeLeeuw (Daughter of clients and friend ) on: Apr 29, 2023
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Thinking of you all and celebrating our Icelandic heritage we can be so proud of. Bless. - Posted by: Sonja Lundstrom (Friend) on: Apr 29, 2023