Born at Winnipeg on 22 January 1926, son of Johan Fridrik “Fred” Thordarson (1890-1966) and Norma Thorbergson (c1897-1983), he attended Greenway School, General Wolfe School, and Daniel McIntyre Collegiate. While attending the University of Manitoba, he interrupted his studies in 1945 to enlist in the Canadian Army.
Following his military discharge, he returned to the University and, in 1949, received an Architecture degree, reportedly the first graduate of Icelandic descent in this program. He joined the architectural firm of Green Blankstein Russell, serving with it until retirement in 1990. He designed several of the buildings at the University of Manitoba’s main campus in Fort Garry.
On 12 August 1949, he married Doreen Florence “Reg” Regelous (1927-2008) at St. Matthew’s Anglican Church and they had four children.
He died at Winnipeg on 13 December 2003.
His architectural works in Winnipeg included:
Building
Location
Year
Status
Elizabeth Dafoe Library
University of Manitoba
1952
168 Wilton Street
1957
Assiniboia Downs
3975 Portage Avenue
1958
Polo Park Shopping Centre
1485 Portage Avenue
1958
401 York Avenue
1959-1960
Allen Building
University of Manitoba
1961
Armes Lecture Building
University of Manitoba
1961
Cyclotron Research Facility
University of Manitoba
1961
Parker Building
University of Manitoba
1961
Winnipeg City Hall
510 Main Street
1962-1965
St. Andrew’s College
University of Manitoba
1963
Winnipeg International Airport Terminal
2000 Wellington Avenue
1964
Duff Roblin Building
University of Manitoba
1970
Freshwater Institute Building
University of Manitoba
1972
Birth registration [Johan Fridrik Thordarson], Manitoba Vital Statistics.
Marriage registration [Johann Frederick Thordarson, Norma Thorbergson], Winnipeg Free Press.
“Thordarson-Regelous bridal held in St. Matthews Church,” Winnipeg Tribune, 13 August 1949, page 13.
Obituary [Fred Thordarson], Winnipeg Free Press, 31 October 1966, page 26.
Obituary [Norma Thordarson], Winnipeg Free Press, 13 April 1983, page 35.
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 16 December 2003, page 21.
Obituary [Doreen Florence Thordarson], Winnipeg Free Press, 31 August 2008.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 23 July 2023
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