Obituary of Dr. H. Gregory Thorsell

Dr. H. Gregory Thorsell, 88, of Jamestown died Thursday February 28, 2019, in his home. He was born October 13, 1930 in WCA Hospital in Jamestown, the son of the late J. Harold and Alice Rietschler Thorsell. He graduated from Jamestown High School in 1948 and the University of Buffalo in 1952 with a Doctor of Medicine degree in 1957. After an internship at Buffalo General Hospital, he served in the US Navy and was awarded the Antarctic Exploration Medal. He anchored near the English explorer, Admiral Scott's base at the McMurdo Sound. He then was assigned to the US Naval Station in Key West, FL and later retired with the rank of Commander. He returned to Buffalo General Hospital for his surgical residency. Following that he came back to Jamestown and was a member of the staff and served as chairman of the surgical departments of both WCA and Jamestown General Hospitals. Dr. Thorsell was president of the medical staff of Jamestown General Hospital in its final year of operation. He was a member of the Chautauqua County and New York Medical Societies and the American Medical Association (AMA). He was board certified in surgery and was a Fellow of both the American College of Surgeons and the International College of Surgeons. He was a member of the College of Emergency Room Physicians and the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Dr. Thorsell volunteered time to the American Cancer Society and the board of Lutheran Social Services. He also served on the board of Chautauqua Region Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Sunset Hill Cemetery. He was chairman of the Health Insurance Care Committee of the New York State Medical Society, Chautauqua Medical Society and president of the Jamestown Medical Society. He organized the Goodwin Memorial Lecture Series which included Cleveland Clinic and the University of Buffalo Medical School. Dr. Thorsell was a member and deacon of First Presbyterian Church and member of Theta Chi and Nu Sigma Nu Fraternities. He was an avid skier and boating enthusiast. He was active in the Chautauqua Chapter of the United States Power Squadrons, serving as Commander twice. Surviving are his wife Eleanor Stone Thorsell; a son G. Scott Thorsell of Alaska; a daughter Kristen E. Terrio of Massachusetts; two step daughters Kimberly Carlson of Jamestown and Carol "Carrie" (Brian) Ernewein of Texas; seven grandchildren Jennifer, Jake and Andrew Thorsell, Madeline, Clare and Charlotte Terrio and Aleida Foulk and two great granddaughters Penelope and Juniper Basile. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by a step grandson Alex Foulk in 2016. The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Monday in Bellinger Chapel of First Presbyterian Church. Entombment will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery. Friends will be received from 2-4 p.m. Sunday in the Lind Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 509 Prendergast Avenue, Jamestown, NY or WCA Foundation, 207 Foote Avenue, PO Box 840, Jamestown, NY 14702-0840. You may leave words of condolence at www.lindfuneralhome.com.