Thursday, September 19, 2024 | 11:00 AM
Gary Edward Thorp, age 85, of Edina, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Aug. 7th surrounded by family. Born in Minneapolis on March 12, 1939, to Nora A. (Anderson) Thorp and Ralph E. Thorp Sr., Gary was a 1957 graduate of Washburn High School and went on to earn his undergraduate degree from St. Cloud State University, where he played hockey and was the captain of the golf team.
Following college, he worked as a brokerage rep for Connecticut General Insurance Company and married his first wife, Susan Van Nostrand. In 1967, he became the Minnesota brokerage manager for The Paul Revere Insurance Company, and in 1979, he formed Thorp Brokerage Resources.
In addition to spending time with family and friends, Gary enjoyed painting, sculpture, skiing, hunting, and golf. Gary's lifelong passion for golf peaked in his mid 50's. In 1996 the Minnesota Golf Association awarded him senior player of the year and he won the MGA Senior Amateur and qualified for the US Senior Open. In 1998 he won the Canadian Senior Match Play Championship and played in the US Senior Amateur and British Senior Amateur.
Gary is survived by his wife Patti, daughter Dana (Thorp) Giertsen and son-in-law Kevin Giertsen of Edina; son Scott Thorp and daughter-in-law Kelly Thorp of Edina, two loving grandchildren Stephanie Giertsen and Mac Giertsen and stepchildren Amy McConnell, Ryan Carlson. Close family members include nephews Steven (Terry) Thorp, David (Cheryl) Thorp, Jeff Thorp (Mary Pat) Thorp, Nieces Heidi (Mike) Barcelow, Lindsay Yates, Jennifer Ketelsen, all of whom will miss him very much.
We invite you to a Mass and celebration of Gary's life. Visitation will be held at 10:00 AM, and the Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 AM.
