Jack Thor

Jack Wesley Thor perished on February 8, 2023 while saving the lives of all aboard a capsized catamaran in the Adriatic Sea including one small kitten. Or so he possibly believed in his mind upon his death. As someone with an incredible sense of comedic timing and self-deprecating wit that was ravaged by the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, he would’ve appreciated this humorous misdirect.

Jack was born on March 2, 1943. He wasn’t someone who took pleasure in touting his own accomplishments and he never required a resume. A kind, considerate man with many notable accomplishments to his credit, he was a valiant Battalion Chief of the Livonia Fire Department who will fondly be remembered for setting Station 4’s kitchen ablaze, fearless sailor of the “Jacks Are Wild” who safely navigated the perilous waters of Lake Huron through the famous Southern Great Lakes Derecho of 1998, capable craftsman who measured once and cut twice, determined bread artisan always seeking the perfect rise, Friday night pizza maestro and focaccia experimenter, inventor of Jack’s Crispy Chicken (secret ingredient: Wheaties), feline nurturer, and fierce basement flood warrior who enjoyed a tipple of Old Crow Bourbon and a handful of peanuts (taken together).

Jack was preceded in death by an embarrassing number of cats including his much loved Annabelle of the stump sisters, his granddog Claude, his brother Donald, mother Anna and father Paul. He leaves behind his loving wife, Joyce, his four children Brian (Mary) Thor, Steven Thor, Jessica (Philip) Miller and the other one, and grandchildren Kristopher, Laila, Chloe, and Wesley.

The family would like to thank Gentiva Hospice for their compassionate support during the last weeks of Jack’s life.