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BORN
1936
DIED
2016
FUNERAL HOME
Walfrid Bjorn Obituary
He worked as a physical education teacher and guidance counselor for East Lyme High School for many years. During his tenure there, he coached several varsity and junior varsity sports. He loved attending sporting events at URI (University of Rhode Island) and UMASS (University of Massachusetts). He enjoyed playing tennis and golf. Wally was proud of his time serving in the Peace Corps. Wally cherished the time spent with his family and adored his grandchildren.
Wally was preceded in death by his brother, John Bjorn.
Survivors include his son, Thorr Bjorn and his wife, Cyndy Bjorn, of Rhode Island; daughter, Kristen Bjorn and her partner, Trudy Bjorn, of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; grandchildren, Stephanie, Robyn, Rachael, Jasmine, and Davin Bjorn; brother, Douglass Bjorn of Stonington; along with his beloved friend and companion, Mary Ann Gunderman and her family in Waterford.
Wally's family would like to thank Treasure Coast Hospice for all they have done and the care they have provided over the last seven months that Wally has been in Florida.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 15, 2016, at Flanders Baptist and Community Church, 162 Boston Post Road, East Lyme, CT 06333.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Wally's name to URI Foundation, George and Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience, c/o URI Foundation, 79 Upper College Road, Kingston, RI 02881 or at http://ryaninstitute.uri.edu/giving/
An online guestbook is available at www.aycockportstlucie.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Walfrid Bjorn
Sponsored by Aycock Funeral Home - Port Saint Lucie.
Tom Jessup
February 3, 2016
Wally Bjorn and my older brother, Carr Jessup, were the two best male friends I've ever had. In both their spiritual and physical stamina as big strong guys and their capable efforts to help others, I am so thankful that I benefitted from their capabilities! Wally and I became roommates at Springfield College when we were sophomores after transferring from other schools. I am proud of Wally's and my brother's great teaching and coaching contributions which Springfield College cultivated. It is unfortunate that Wally's productive life was cut short by Parkinson's Disease. I have faith that Wally and Carr will always be with me spiritually and my wife, Judy, and I send our heartfelt condolences to Wally's wonderful family.
Janis Treat
January 16, 2016
To he Bjorn family - my deepest condolences - Wally will be missed by all who knew him and were fortunate enough to have called him friend. Most sincerely, Janis Treat
Janis Treat
January 16, 2016
To the Bjorn Family - sending sincere sympathy and prayers to all who loved and cared for Wally. Any who experienced his friendship in life knew the true meaning of the word "friend". He will be deeply missed.
January 15, 2016
Dear Kristen, Thorr and Families,
Your Dad was a great man. He was honorable, compassionate and had a heart of gold. He was one of the easiest people to talk to that I've ever met in my lifetime. Over the years, we had alot of conversations whether especially at the house in Salem or the Cape. Wherever it was, he helped direct me on several of life's issues when I needed it. He didn't judge, and was truly a gentleman. Since my dad was already gone, he was "the" Grandfather to my children right up until he passed, and for all this I will always be eternally indebted to him. He touched so many people, and for that you can be extremely proud.
My Sincerest Condolences,
Chuck Persi
Waterford, Ct.
January 15, 2016
A friend for many years while summering in Lord's Point, Stonington , CT.
Wally was a community center instructor of many sports. Many of us parcipated i only because we knew Wally as a caring and patient man.
He is quite a loss to this world. My condolences to the Bjorn family.
Barbara McKenna Lhomme
January 15, 2016
Kristen and Thorr,
Your Dad was a great man. He was honorable, compassionate, and had a heart of gold. He was one of the easiest people to talk to that I've ever met in my lifetime. He didn't judge, and was truly a gentleman. I will miss him.
My Sincerest Condolences,
Chuck Persi
Carol Christianson
January 15, 2016
I had the pleasure of meeting Wally at Atria when he first moved in. Handsome, sweet, great attitude and sense of humor. I knew he and my Dad (Keith) would become fast friends. As I left one day I yelled at him as he was taking his morning constitutional "Hey Wally, take care of my Daddy!" to which he gave me a smile and big thumbs up. I will miss him. My condolences.-
Steve Alligood
January 15, 2016
My condolences to the Bjorn family. Wally was a mentor and role model for hundreds of students at ELHS since the late 1960's. He was the type of teacher and coach that you would remember for the rest of your life. I got to know him later in life when he was at Atria where he was very popular with all the staff and residents. He would always take the elderly residents for walks with him(Wally walks)which they enjoyed around the property. God bless you Wally, you made the world a better place.
Sandra White
January 14, 2016
Kristen & Thorr,
Your Father, Wally, was more than just a colleague through all the years teaching at ELHS. He was a gentleman who always looked at the positive, a motivator who could inspire those students and adullts he came in contact with, and an educator who loved counseling, teaching and coaching young people. Wally was a friend to me for many
years. I was so thrilled when Wally coached field hockey with me taking charge of the junior varsity team. The young ladies learned so much from him about the game and how participation and commitment inflluences one's life while having fun at the same time. I have many fond memories of your Father. May the memories of your Dad that you have in your hearts bring you comfort.
Sorry for your loss.
john yuhas
January 14, 2016
All my children had Wally in school. They all loved him. My oldest son helped him out with coaching after he graduated. He loved him. I myself played many rounds of golf with Wally and even in winter when we should have been somewhere warm. I and every one else will miss him.
Lou Amelia
January 14, 2016
Just a wonderful caring man. We will all miss him. So glad he touched our lives.
Frank Caruso
January 14, 2016
Dear Thorr, my deepest sympathy to you and your family in the loss of your dad.May he rest in peace and may you take comfort in knowing he is in a better place.
Jane Marolda
January 14, 2016
One of the best in every way a human being could be. Wally was always there for anyone and everyone, at East Lyme High School and throughout his life. I am sure he will be missed by the many lucky people his life touched upon.
Jane Simmons Marolda
ELHS 1973
January 14, 2016
Dear Coach,
Thanks for making football practice fun even when there was ice on the puddles in November. You made a difference in a lot of our lives. You will always be remembered.
Thank you,
Hull Manwaring
ELHS '75
January 14, 2016
Thanks Coach,
You made practice fun even when there was ice on the puddles in November. You will always be remembered.
Thanks again,
Hull Manwaring
ELHS Class 75
Lord's Point Asscn
January 14, 2016
A tribute from a small waterside community in Stonington Ct
Lord's Point Association members,
Our Wally died on Sunday. For many of the now aging Baby Boomers who had the good fortune of spending their youthful summers at LP, Wally was a major thread, who wove his magic throughout the fabric of your community. He was hired by LPA to provide instruction to the youngsters in all things athletic and to supervise Community House operations. He did that, but oh so much more.
oh, much much more. He was our mentor, guidance counselor, big brother, chauffeur, financial benefactor and friend. Wally was all of those and then some. He was for all of us, an indelible personality, influencing our lives sometimes in similar, but oftentimes very individual ways. Wally will always have an honored place in our hearts. He was a very special person and one of Lord's Point's finest.
Karen Tardif Patterson
January 14, 2016
Kristen, Thorr and families,
I am deeply saddened to hear of your father's passing. Please accept my deepest sympathy, I will keep you all in my prayers. He was a terrific man who gave me guidance as to my college and career choices. He will be fondly remembered by many.
Karen Tardif Patterson
Matt Hillyer
January 14, 2016
So very sorry to hear of the passing of coach Wally Bjorn.As a student at ELHS in the early 1970's,he was a very positive influence on me and many of my classmates.He will be greatly missed.
January 14, 2016
Coach,
Your compassion, friendship and that goofy little smile will always be with me.
A true roll model.
Be at peace.
J.Kelly ELHS 74
Flagg, Pembrook, Sears
January 14, 2016
We had the wonderment to know and love Wally over seventy years. His imprint on us is eternal. Wally encompassed the goodness that we all strive for, he left the world a better place. We are blessed to have had him in our lives.
January 13, 2016
Dear Bjorn family,
We were sad to hear of the passing of Coach.
He did so much for Viking football players on and off the field and his kind and supportive spirit will never be forgotten.
We were so proud to honor him as our first recipient of the Otto Graham Spirit Award, for his contributions to the game of football and his commitment to help others.
May he rest in peace,
All Members of the East Lyme High School Football Hall of Fame
Mae Hills R N
January 13, 2016
Wally Bjorn was a counselor who was friend to students & staff alike. He was very well respected by all who knew him. My sympathy to all of his family.
liz pelissier
January 13, 2016
Mr. Bjorn was incredibly kind to me during my years in the East Lyme School system. My prayers are with him and his family.
Ronald E Worcester
January 13, 2016
Wally, you were a true friend,I have many fond memories. Deepest sympathy to family.
Ron Worcester
Chris Lillibridge
January 13, 2016
Wally has been my friend and role model since I was a teenager. I was so impressed by his willingness to help the underdog or to stand up for what he thought was right no matter the odds against him. For over60 years when certain situations arise, I say to myself "what would Wally do" and act accordingly.
Thank you Wally - we all miss you.
Chris Lillibrdge
Karen Bartlett Anthony
January 13, 2016
My deepest sympathy. I worked with Wally for many years at ELHS. He was a wonderful teacher, coach,counselor and mentor. I am saddened by his passing.
Paul Sistare
January 13, 2016
My condolences to the Bjorn family. I was a student at East Lyme High School 81. Mr. Bjorn was my guidance counselor and he always kept me pointed in the right direction with kind words and at times with the hard
truth. I use to run after school and he saw me walking down the hall one day and asked me what I was doing. After couple of quick questions from him I was on my way. The next day he caught me going out and handed me a stop watch and told me to bring it to him when I was done. After the run I gave him back the stop watch and we had a quick discussion. He told me we are going to do this every day. This went on for 4 or 5 weeks until I got a job after school. His reason: He wanted to witness/see me get better. Good Guy.
Mark Kanges
January 13, 2016
Rest in Peace Mr. Bjorn. ELHS Class of 1974 I was. He was a good man.
January 13, 2016
Sorry to hear of Coachs Bjorns passing I never would had made it threw East Lyme High without his pushing me to excell I credit him for teaching me to follow my passion for cooking to Culinary school and to push my shelf to be the best at whatever i attempted in life I wish every student could have someone in there corner like the coach was for me R.I.P. Coach Chef Richard Skinner
Richard Skinner
January 13, 2016
Sorry to hear of Coach Bjorns passing I never would have made it threw East Lyme High without him. He pushed me real hard to follow my passion for cooking and got me interested in going to Culinary school I wish every high school student had someone pushing them as Coach Bjorn did for me Chef Richard Skinner E.L.H.S. 78
January 13, 2016
Gentleman, Scholar, Athlete - the Purest Viking of all.
My Prayers and condolences to the Bjorn Family.
Coach Jim Spellman
Groton, CT
Martin Mickus Jr
January 13, 2016
Dear Kristen and Thorr, I am deeply sorry about the loss of your father. He was a great role model and will remember him as a strong supporter of all the kids of the Salem Little League. Love always,
your coach Mr. Mickus
Dick Brown
January 13, 2016
I knew Wally during the several years I lived at Atria. We spent many hours together at the "men's" table and had many long discussions about many things. We were good sounding boards for each other. Wally introduced Thorr and some of his other family members when they visited. I only recently heard from one of the P.T.s that Wally had moved to Florida, but that was all that I knew of Wally since I left Atria just prior to the new construction. I was very sad to see his obit in The Day and I wish your family my sincerest sympathy. Wally was a great friend to have, and knowing him for a few years was a wonderful experience. He helped me get through some tough periods, and I hope that I was able to return his kindnesses.
Dick Brown
dennis riley
January 13, 2016
I extend condolences to the Bjorn family..I first met him hen I was a young sportswriter at The Bulletin...his life was replete with accomplishments and he was a solid citizen in the fullest meaning of those words...
Patti Crouch Tarallo
January 13, 2016
I was so sorry to hear of Wally's passing. He was blessed with a loving supportive family and a brother, Doug who was always there for him. My memories as a younger cousin who visited the family was kind of a wide eyed wonder at the antics and activities of this family of three boys 7 to 9 years older than me. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
January 13, 2016
Thor, I am so sorry for your loss. Your father was a great man, so kind and loving and such a positive influence all of the students who knew him. I wish your family peace and love during this difficult time. Dana Askelson - La Quinta, CA
January 13, 2016
Dear Thor
I'm very sorry to learn about the death of your Father. I just found out from Leah and I wanted you to know that I'm thinking of you and daying prayers for your dad.
Frank Russo
Spectra
January 13, 2016
Always a kind and gentle friend to many. May he rest in peace.
Rev Cal Lord
Cynthia O'Brien Stadler
January 13, 2016
I think of Wally often when my children visit the pond he built for Kristen and Thor to ice skate (at the house in Salem). He touched so many of our lives at school and home. My prayers are with all of you.
Charles Smith
January 13, 2016
I am so sorry for your loss....He was one of our residents at Atria Crossroads Place...He will be sadly miss...It was a pleasure servicing him...
David Burrows
January 13, 2016
Good guy very good influence on us kids God bless him
Ida & Chris Lillibridge
January 13, 2016
Recently I asked my cousin Wally why he got after me when he first saw me with lipstick on and his answer "because I didn't want to see you grow up". Then when I started dating Chris, he said"it won't last" - it's lasted 58 years. Well, no one is perfect - but Wally was close to it.
Our hearts go out to his family.
Ida & Chris Lillibridge
Ted and Pat Phillips
January 13, 2016
Wally was a wonderful person who always brought out the positive in everyone. He was the best and most beloved school counselor we ever knew. It was a great honor to have worked with him and to have known him. The lives of very many have been inspired and are better because of him.
Ted and Pat Phillips
Ted asnd Pat Phillips
January 13, 2016
Wally was a wonderful person who always saw and brought out the positive in everyone. He was the best and most beloved educator and school counselor we ever knew. It was a great honor to have worked with him and to have known him.
Ted and Pat Phillips
Andie Mackey
January 13, 2016
Wally embraced all with his kindness. He exuded a smile from chin to forehead! He had a gift to forge forward and embrace life, even as his health declined. With Sympathy & Regards to Family & Friends. Andie Mackey, Cheshire, CT
Sharon Coleman
January 13, 2016
RIP, Wally. You were a great mentor and friend to so many at ELHS.
David Sdao
January 13, 2016
Such a kind, caring and inspiring man who was a true friend to all.....rest gently.
January 13, 2016
Sad to hear of Mr. Bjorns passing today he left an impression on every student. It has been a long time since I was in school and had him as my PE teacher but he left an impression. Mr. Bjorn was someone you looked up to and one of the few that every student respected and enjoyed being around. Even after all of these years hearing of his passing made me sit and think about what a kind person he was to everyone. One of those teachers you hoped in the back of your mind was still walking the hallways because you knew the positive impact that he had on everyone he met. I dont often sign guestbooks but Mr.Bjorn was special and I wanted his family to know what a difference he made in all of our lives.
Rest in Peace Mr Bjorn
Cathy Newlin
January 13, 2016
I am sorry for your loss. Wally was near and dear to my heart. I loved visiting him and admiring all of his unique collections from around the world. He was always so proud of his family especially his grandchildren. A wonderful man! I think of him often.
Jon Andersen
January 13, 2016
I remember him as a real role model for us: gentle and strong, good-humored, conducting himself with dignity and taking kids seriously. Condolences to Mrs. Bjorn, Thorr, and the whole family.
george Riverboat Staub
January 13, 2016
Mr. Walfrid Bjorn your commitment to the Truth in all things has been a great gift. Your consideration and compassion has merged with my being. Know that you are the Truth in my Love. From my spiritual heart to yours.
Christine Benvenuti
January 12, 2016
So sorry for your loss. Mr. Bjorn will sadly be missed, but remembered with grateful hearts. . He poured his heart into his work and was such and encouraging man. M a y God grant you peace and comfort during this difficult time.
John Stevens
January 12, 2016
Wally I will miss you!!! Great coach and even a Greater man. Thanks for all you taught me.
Catherine Scaplen Reynolds
January 12, 2016
He was my high school counselor and there for me when my grandfather died on my 16th birthday, something I will never forget. He was such an amazing and caring man. Rest in peace. We all just gained the best guardian angel!!
Peter Galligan
January 12, 2016
All the memories of Wally will never leave my thoughts. He was a mentor to so many during his years. Bless his time with us, rest peacefully!
January 12, 2016
My deepest sympathy for your loss. Wally was a joy to know and work with. I am sure he is now in heaven dancing with all the ladies there.
Edythe Rose
January 12, 2016
" Sorry for your loss. May the GOD of tender mercy comfort you in this time of sadness PSALMS 40:1
Jeff Bohne
January 12, 2016
Always enjoyed sitting at UMass games with Wally. He loved his family and was proud of the adults they had become. Our prayers are with all of you.
Jeff & Nancy Bohne
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