It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our Dad, Thomas “Tom” Thorsen, 69, of Chesapeake, Virginia, on April 18, 2026. While his passing was sudden, the strength and care he poured into his family remain an enduring legacy.

Born in Rockville Centre, New York, Tom moved to the Hampton Roads area of Virginia in the early 1980s. A man of quiet focus and a tireless work ethic, he spent over 30 years as a skilled transmission mechanic. He was the person everyone turned to when something was broken; he had the rare gift of seeing how things fit together and the patience to make them run again. Tom retired in 2016, finally trading the shop floor for the freedom of his own schedule.

In his retirement, Tom stayed active and curious. He was a familiar sight on his bicycle, logging miles and enjoying the fresh air. When he wasn’t riding, he was usually “tinkering” – finding ingenious ways to improve gadgets or restore life to old machinery.

To his children, Tom was the ultimate mentor. From the teenage years to adulthood, he was always there to coach them through life’s hurdles. This role as a teacher reached its peak with his grandchildren. Whether he was hunched over a pair of sneakers teaching the perfect knot, racing RC cars across the parking lot, or talking shop with his grandsons, Grandpa Tom was always present, patient, and proud. He thoroughly enjoyed time spent with family, be it sharing a meal, singing happy birthday for one of his grandchildren, or having heart to hearts with his kids. Tom was truly a wonderful man who will be sorely missed.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Stanley and Marjorie Thorsen, and his future son-in-law, Gregory Rice.

Left to cherish his memory are his children: Michael (Courtnie), Nicole, and Ryan (Burgandy), and his six beloved grandchildren: Jackson, Savannah, Brody, Logan, Evan, and Colton. He also leaves behind his former wife, Cynthia Connor (Brian), with whom he maintained a bond of mutual respect and friendship throughout the years.

A gathering to celebrate Tom’s life will be held at his oldest son, Michael’s, home at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, 2026.