WILMINGTON — Richard M. Thorgrimson, a 53-year resident of St. James, NY passed away on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, in Wilmington, NC.
Richard was born on January 24, 1932, in Brooklyn, NY to Richard Thorgrimson and Maurice Rebecca Griffin Thorgrimson. He graduated from Mepham High School in North Bellmore, NY and then received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hofstra University in Mathematics and a Master of Science degree from Hofstra University in Secondary Education. He served in the U.S. Army where he worked as a Mathematical Analyst for the National Security Agency. Throughout his career Richard was a Computer Programmer in the defense industry and high school mathematical teacher. Richard was a 53-year member of St. James Lutheran Church, St. James, NY, and a longtime member of the Sons of Norway Lodge 252, where he leaves a life-long list of countless friends. Richard and his wife, Helen Dawson Thorgrimson moved to Wilmington, NC in 2021.
Richard was a loving husband and father and is survived by his wife of 68 years, Helen, and his two daughters, Marjorie Czaja (John) of Clermont, Florida; Diane Thorgrimson Payne (Mike) of Wilmington, NC; and two grandchildren, Morgan Czaja of Staten Island, NY and Erik Czaja of Chicago, IL. He is also survived by 5 nieces and nephews, Robert Thorgrimson of NYC, Janet Thorgrimson Keller of Wake Forest, NC, Maryann Thorgrimson Hogan of Raleigh, NC, Marilyn Thorgrimson of SeaCrest, NY and Susan Garretson of Cranford, NJ. Richard was predeceased by his twin brother Thorin Wayne Thorgrimson and parents, M. Rebecca Griffin Thorgrimson and Richard Thorgrimson. Richard was also blessed with loving family in Wilmington, NC, Andrea Payne (Thane Boysen) and three adoring “great grandchildren”, Leighton, Hadyden and Ava Grace.
Chapel services for immediate family will be held in Wilmington, NC on June 19. He will be laid to rest in Nyack, NY. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the music program at St. James Lutheran Church, 230 2nd Avenue, St. James, NY 11780.
Please sign the online Guestbook at www.andrewsmortuary.com
