Obituaries

George Otto Thogersen

Former Greenport resident George Otto Thogersen died Oct. 17 at McPeak’s Assisted Living in Patchogue. He was 93 years old.

Mr. Thogersen was born in 1919 in Woodside, N.Y., where his family had lived for many years. He spent most of his career at AIL Systems, a division of Cutler-Hammer in Deer Park, retiring in 1982. Hired as an electronics engineer, he was promoted to department head of integrated logistics support and later to director of safety. He had served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and used his experiences to later teach radio classes at Patchogue Bay Power Squadron. He was also a member of the Peconic Amateur Radio Club.

Mr. Thogersen was married to Ruth Margaret Isherwood for 68 years, until her death Sept. 9, 2009. They lived in Bayport while their children were growing up and later retired to Greenport, where they resided for over 30 years.

For 10-plus years, the Thogersens constructed a 45-foot ferrous-cement hull ketch, Alchemy, in their backyard in Bayport and launched the boat on Browns River in 1975. After moving to Greenport, they sailed Alchemy to Florida in 1985 and then back to their Greenport home on Fordham Canal. They also made numerous day trips to Block Island and other local destinations.

The Thogersens then embarked on a couple of cross-country tours of the United States in a 28-foot Airstream camper, visiting many national parks and other historic sites. By the end of their travels they had been to all the lower 48 states except Oregon.

Mr. Thogersen is survived by his five children, Patricia Rosenstrom of Seattle, Wash., Ellen Hyland of East Patchogue, Judy Kozora of Greenport, George Jr. of Smithtown and James, of Wayne, N.J.; 10 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

As per his wishes, Mr. Thogersen will be cremated. Private services will be held.