Trygve H. Tonnessen of Annapolis, MD, formerly of Greenwich, CT, died on July 5, 2016 at the age of ninety eight. Born on July 30, 1917 in Spind, Norway to Theodor and Hanna Tonnessen, he immigrated to the United States with his parents and six siblings in 1929. Trygve was graduated Phi Betta Kappa from Columbia College (University) in 1939 and was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1941. After completing Officers Training at Fort Benning, GA, he subsequently attended Command and General's Staff School at Ft. Leavenworth, KS. From there he was deployed to the island of Leyte in the Philippines where he was based with the Eighth Army led by General Robert Eichelberger. While there, he and another officer were sent on a mission behind enemy lines to reconnoiter a beachfront on Mindanao. For this, Trygve, who attained the officer's level of Major, was awarded the Bronze Star.

After returning in 1945, Trygve began a long and productive career with Standard Oil of New Jersey, now Exxon Mobil Corporation. As Public Affairs Manager he spearheaded Exxon's support of the PBS production of Bach's B Minor Mass on Good Friday, 1974. This was the most watched television program at that time and, more importantly, gave birth to the television series, 'Great Performances'. He served as President of Esso Eastern Chemical, Ancon, Ltd. and the Teagle Foundation.

Trygve was a resident of Greenwich, CT for over forty years. A man of deep faith, he was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where he served as Elder, Deacon and Chair of the Long Range Planning Committee. After moving to Annapolis, MD, he was a member of Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church, Severna Park, MD.

Most importantly, Trygve was a family man – a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was devoted to his wife, Lillian Salvesen, with whom he shared his life for 58 years until she died in the year 2000. He is survived by his sister, Louise Haldis Benotti of Westchester, PA; three daughters and their husbands, Eileen and Richard Hurlbut of McCormick, SC, Linda and Jeffrey Norris of Arnold, MD, Virginia and Jeffrey Newlin of Augusta, GA; as well as nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Grave-site burial service will be held in Putnam Cemetery, (35 Parsonage Road, Greenwich, CT) beginning at 11:00 am on Wednesday, July 13, 2016. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, July 14th in Fellowship Hall at Ginger Cove, (4000 River Crescent Drive, Annapolis, MD 21401), beginning at 10:00 am. There will be a reception and light refreshments following the service. A second memorial service will held on Thursday, July 14th at Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church, 611 Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard, Severna Park, MD 21146, beginning at 2:00 pm with a reception to follow in the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ginger Cove Foundation; the Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church Music Program; or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Online condolences may be made at www.barrancofuneralhome.com