Eric Irvine Jorgensen

January 4, 1962 - December 23, 2023

In loving memory ~

January 4, 1962 - December 23, 2023

We are deeply saddened to announce that Eric Jorgensen suddenly collapsed and died while out on a sunny mountain bike ride with a good friend on December 23, 2023.

His large family and close friends were very important to Eric, and he especially loved being a dad. He had an ever-ready smile and a clever wit. He was a comedic storyteller. Eric established and maintained solid friendships and was a very loyal and supportive person. He was eager to share information and was always interested in talking to people of all ages.

Eric was a valued member of the Argenta and Nelson communities. He played mandolin with the Argenta Old Time Band, sang in the Makado and performed in several Nelson musical productions. Recently, he was a member of the Cottonwood Singers. He was a self-taught fine woodworker and enjoyed crafting pieces for his family and friends.

While born in Eugene, Oregon, he was raised in Nelson, BC where he had a Kootenay boyhood: skating on the backyard rinks, building tree forts, and entertaining the neighbours with his antics. He was encouraged by his father to enjoy the local mountains and lakes. From an early age, he loved to bike and in recent years developed a passion for cross-country skiing.

After attending L.V. Rogers High School, he worked as a lift operator at Whitewater Ski Hill and was a tree planter across BC and Alberta.

He also studied at the University of Victoria Music Faculty as a trumpet player. This began his lifelong passion for classical and choral music.

Later, he became a heavy-duty mechanic and was a valued employee at Selkirk Wilderness Skiing in Meadow Creek, Nelson Toyota, Emcon Services/YRB in Trail, and most recently at YRB in Nelson. He was always happy to share his mechanical knowledge with others including volunteering at the Nelson Nordic Ski Club.

Eric is deeply missed by his wife Zuzana Zach and their daughter Maia Jorgensen. He is also missed by his siblings Carl (Colette Goyet) of Chateauguay, QC; Anne (Eugene) Stroo of Nelson, BC; Paul (Beth Kennedy) of Combermere, ON; Mary (Peter) Defeo of Nelson, BC; brother-in-law Sam Ross of Rossland, plus his many nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.

He was predeceased by his parents Earl and Dorothy Jorgensen and his sister Gail Ross.

The family would like to thank Andy Cowan, Nelson Search and Rescue, and Nelson First Responders for their support. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Nelson Community Food Centre. https://nelsoncfc.ca/

A celebration of Eric's life will be held at Taghum Hall (5915 Taghum Hall Rd.) on Sunday March 10, 2024 at 2 pm.

To leave a personal message of condolence please see Thompson Funeral Service website: https://www.thompsonfs.ca