Theodore “Ted” R. Thorsen, Jr., 91, of Gulf Breeze, FL, passed away on Friday, July 23, 2021.

Ted was born in Pensacola, FL on October 11, 1929. He worked varies jobs as a young boy in Pensacola. Most memorable was his “paper route” in East Hill for the Pensacola News Journal. He also delivered flowers on his bicycle for his Grandmother at East Hill Florist.

He was drafted into the Army for two years, and sent to Korea. After returning from Korea he went to work for the City of Pensacola, Fire Department on December 16, 1953, retiring after 33 years on December 31, 1986. He retired as Battalion Chief, a job he loved and cherished.

During his early years as a Fireman, he worked extra jobs at Plee-Zing Grocery Store with his Father-In-Law, Howard E. Lambert (Cornelia). He also worked at the Mobile Shipyard in the ‘60’s. After retirement, he worked as a Crewboat Capitan in Louisiana and also painted houses in the 70’s and 80’s. He loved all of his jobs and never complained, only spoke fondly of them. He was a member of the Pensacola Beach Elks Club for years. He was owner of the Chulamar, Inc., he booked trips and collected tickets for both boats, the Chuamar and the Katelyn.  He loved mullet fishing, crabbing, and fishing on the river with other firemen friends, especially James and Catherine Haley,  Ramon Church, and Leroy White,  that was one of his favorite memories was fishing in Deland, FL on the St. John’s River.  He loved his house in Gulf Breeze and took so much pride in his yard and kept his American Flag and Norwegian Flags flying at all times.

His greatest joy was his 2 children, then later, his 4 grandchildren which he adored and they adored him, and most recently, his first Great-Grandson that was given a very special middle name that he can be proud of, Reinhart. His other love was his dogs and cats, which there were many, but in the later years, Katie and Mattie, Mr. Whiskers and Snowball. He was the kindest, most loving, quick witted man you would ever meet, and would give anyone the shirt off his back. He touched lives wherever he went. He continued his witty sense of humor until a few days before meeting his Lord Jesus. He will be dearly missed by his family until we meet him again.

Ted is preceded in death by his parents, Ted R. Thorsen, Sr. and Sigrid J. Torgersen Thorsen; his brother, Edward T. Thorsen; a sister, Thelma Geraldine Thorsen and infant daughter, Tamela Francis Thorsen.

He is survived by his son, “Bubba” Wm. F. Thorsen (Renee) of Pensacola; daughter, Geri Thorsen Landers of Weatherford, TX; three grandsons, TJ Landers of  Weatherford, TX, Richard Thorsen of  Pensacola, FL and Patrick Thorsen of Pensacola, FL; one granddaughter, Katelyn Thorsen Burleson (Austin) of Weatherford, TX; one very special great-grandson, William Reinhart Burleson; friend, companion and ex-wife, Joyce Thorsen of Gulf Breeze, FL; sister, Sonja Winchester (Paul) of Pensacola, FL; three nephews, Scott Winchester, Greg Winchester (special friend, Jonnie) of Pensacola, FL, and Erik Winchester (Kelley) of Panama City, FL and one niece, Theresa Winchester Driver (Mike) of Cantonment, FL.

Visitation will be held 1:00pm until the funeral service to begin at 2:00pm Saturday, July 31, 2021, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 24 W. Wright St., Pensacola FL, with Pastor Randy Blankschaen officiating. Burial will follow at St. John’s Cemetery, 301 N. “G” St., Pensacola, FL.

Active pallbearers will be grandsons, Richard Thorsen, TJ Landers, Patrick Thorsen and nephews, Scott Winchester, Greg Winchester, Erik Winchester and Mike Driver.

Honorary pallbearers will be The Pensacola Fire Department Honor Guard, Paul Winchester, Leroy White, Ron Preer, Herbert Ferreira, Darryl Stevison, Andy O’Daniel, and Craig Williams.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, 24 W. Wright St., Pensacola, FL. or to an Animal Rescue of your choice.

Special heartfelt thanks to grandson/caregiver, Richard Thorsen, and to Covenant Hospice Supervisor Paul Powell and his I.S. Team for their understanding, and to the Nurses and Aids of Covenant Hospice for their care, as well as thanks to Pastor Randy Blankschaen for his guidance during this difficult time of our lives.