Obituary of Victor Lofgren

Victor Lofgren, Jr., departed for the Kingdom of God on November, 25, 2012. He was 86 years old. He passed away peacefully at Sterling House II Personalized Assisted Living, Melbourne, FL, with his daughter at his side. Originally from Jamestown, NY, he had been a resident of Melbourne, FL, since 1975. Vic was born May 14, 1926, in Jamestown, NY. He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Donna Johnson Lofgren, who died March 13, 2012. He was predeceased by his parents, Victor Lofgren, Sr. and Helga Schlean Lofgren, brothers Claude Kelts and Perry Kelts, and sister Beatrice Van Ness. He is survived by his daughter, Terry Scala (John) of New Fairfield, CT; grandchildren, Brian Scala of Danbury, CT, and Lisa Scala of Queens, NY; and several nieces and nephews. Victor's greatest honor in life was his service in the US Army Air Force as a Staff Sergeant in the 429th Bombardment Squadron. He served active duty in Foggia, Italy, as a ball turret gunner on B-17. Prior to retirement, Vic owned and operated Diamond Springs Water in Melbourne, Fl. He was a lifetime entrepreneur, developing many businesses including a Sinclair Gas Station, Vic's Used Cars, Pic-N-Poke, Driftwood Restaurant, Knight Lounge, among others. He loved the art of a deal and was always interested in a new idea, or to help someone else who had a business endeavor in mind. After retirement, Vic could usually be found in his garage workshop, often working on boat models. He was most proud of his model of The City of Jamestown Steamer, created from memory and photos, and which can be seen at the Lawson Center in Bemus Point. He was a tinkerer and an inventor of solutions. His grandchildren, whom he adored, coined the expression " Grandpa can fix anything." He was intensely proud of his Swedish heritage, claiming it and blaming it for who he was. Vic's constant goal was to make a friend of everyone he met. His ability to make someone smile and to connect on a personal level was one of his greatest talents. He was loved and appreciated by all who got to know him. He was generous in all ways and was always willing to lend a hand where it was needed. Victor was a man of deep thought and thrived on conversation. He was a man of strong faith, whose belief in and love of God was central to his life. Victor was a loyal member of the Masons, Mount Moriah Lodge No 145 and the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. He was also a long time member of Shriners International/Ismailia Shriners, the Jamestown Shrine Club, and the Independent Order of Vikings/Ingjald Lodge No 65. A funeral service will be held at 11 am, Monday, December 3, 2012, at the Lind Funeral Home. The Rev. Daniel K. Nagle of First Lutheran Church in Jamestown, will officiate. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service in the funeral home. Burial will follow in Lakeview Cemetery, Jamestown, NY. In lieu of flowers, friends are invited to make contributions in Victor's memory to The Lawson Boating Heritage Center on Chautauqua Lake, 73 Lakeside Dr., PO Box 10, Bemus Point, NY 14712.