Thor M. Egerhei, age 70 died unexpectedly at his home on Friday, March 24 2017. He was the devoted and loving husband of Jean Egerhei for 43 years. He was loved, cherished and respected by so many neighbors, friends and especially his family.
Thor was born in Kristiansand, Norway and immigrated at a young age with his parents Gunbjorg and the late Gotdfred Egerhei to the United States in 1948. The family settled in Newton Highlands where Thor attended the Newton Public Schools. He graduated in 1965 from Newton North Technical High School and later attended Wentworth Institute for a brief time before working with his father and brother as a builder. Together they built and remolded several homes in the Newton, Needham and Wellesley area. During the Vietnam War, Thor served his country as an Army Reservist for 6 years. While serving his time in the Army, Thor continued to work and develop his skills as a builder, contractor and designer. Later in life, he expanded his building skills to include commercial buildings as well. He was considered by many to be an excellent builder/contractor, mentor and friend who would always be available to lend a hand, a tool or give sound advice on any project.
Thor maintained a lifelong active outdoor lifestyle. He could always be found working in his gardens or in his side yard, repairing any truck or tractor equipment that needed attention. He enjoyed RV camping with his wife, Jean, and was able to experience the beauty of nature while traveling throughout Canada and the eastern parts of the United States. Thor had a passion and hobby for classic and antique cars. His love of cars began as a teenager with a 55’ Ford that he rebuilt during his high school years. Later when he bought his favorite car, a 356 Porsche, he worked as a pit crew member in the late 60’s at the Daytona Endurance Race in Florida. His next passion was dirt biking and as a young man he would spend every weekend racing around with his friend, Leo, blazing new trails through the back woods of Maine and Vermont. This love of cars continued throughout his life and his next venture was to restore a treasured antique 1947 MGTC.
Thor and Jean were married in 1973 and together they raised two girls in a loving family home he built in South Natick. His love of building and a lifelong interest in antique and classic cars was surpassed only by his love for his family and friends. Thor always put family first and was always eager to help his daughters and their families by either babysitting for his 5 grandkids or making and or repairing items for their homes. He was the quintessential grill master and his greatest joy was to have his family over for a cookout around the pool.
Thor is survived by his wife, Jean (née Leao) and their daughters, Lara Reyelt and her husband Brian Reyelt of Natick and Jennifer Egerhei Stucchi and her husband James Stucchi of Holliston; his 5 grandchildren Téa, Greyson and Torin Stucchi; Ava and Olivia Reyelt and his lifelong best friend Leo Dumais and his wife Monica of Maynard. He is also survived by his mother Gunbjorg Egerhei of Natick and a brother Ralph Egerhei and his wife Chris Egerhei of Rangely, Maine; mother in law Maria Leao, brother in law Lanny Leao and his wife Cheryl of Florida, sister in law Linda Kinney of Needham; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at the John Eliot Unitarian Church in South Natick on Monday, May 8 at 10:00am
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Acute Mechanical Circulatory Support Program at Tufts Medical Center; giving.tuftsmedicalcenter.org: designation is to the Cardiovascular Center (when asked where you would like to designate your gift, type in “Acute Mechanical Circulatory Support Program” in the text box).