Sven Thor Bernhard Ekstrom passed away January 31, 2021 at the Jane and Bill Warner Center for Caring.
Thor was born November 20, 1939 in Sodertalje, Sweden to Sven and Eva Ekstrom. He immigrated to the United States in 1977 to make his fortune. Things didn’t quite work out, but he lived quite a life – farm manager, truck driver, carnival worker, handyman and many other occupations. He arrived in Fernandina in 2006. The highlight of his day was a walk to Harris Teeter, where he met many of the hundreds of friends he leaves behind on Amelia Island. To paraphrase Emerson, he laughed often, won the respect of intelligent people, appreciated nature and beauty, found the best in others, and left the world a little better through his many friends.
Thor loved to fly and was a pilot in Sweden. For his eightieth birthday in 2019, he flew once again thanks to Jack Heard and Captain David Bishop of the Fernandina Beach Police Department.
For the many friends he leaves behind, a verse from the song “For Good” from the musical “Wicked”:
I’ve heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason,
Bringing something we must learn. And we are led to those
Who help us grow, if we let them, and we help them in return
Thor touched many lives in Fernandina. He’ll be with us like a handprint on our hearts. Because we knew him, we have been changed for good.
He is survived by brothers, Sten Ekstrom, Bjorn Ekstrom, Staffan Ekstrom, Svan Ekstrom; sister, Inger Lindkvist, and many nieces and nephews, all in Sweden. He is predeceased by his parents; brother, Jan Ekstrom, and sisters, Irene Ekstrom and Bodil Ekstrom, of Sweden.
At Thor’s request, there will be no funeral. His ashes will be returned to Sweden where they will be interred beside his parents.
If so inclined, please raise a can of Old Milwaukee in Thor’s memory!
Please honor him with contributions to the Nassau County Council on Aging, the Barnabas Center, or Community Hospice.