Sven Petersen

Obituary of Sven Petersen

PETERSEN, Sven -58 yrs old, of Chaswood, Nova Scotia, passed away on December 20, 2024, unexpectedly in Raleigh, North Carolina. Sven grew up in Bremerhaven, Germany with his older sister, Gunda, his father, Ralf and his biological mother, Ellen (deceased).  During this time the family kayaked and fished as they lived right on the North Sea in Germany.  Svens hair was bleached blonde from all the time he spent outdoors. Unfortunately while he still was a young teenager, his mother became ill and he cared for her until her death.  Later his father remarried his stepmother Marlies, then also had a stepbrother Kai .

Sven studied engine mechanics in High School and after graduation joined the German Army/ Bundeswehr.  During his time in the army, he travelled to Shilo, Manitoba for army tank service training and was introduced to Esther.  They married at age 21, lived a few years in Bremerhaven, Germany until his term in the army was completed.

Upon his return to Canada, he secured employment as a service engineer with Krupp Mak in Toronto, Ontario.  But they soon left the big city and moved to Alberta. He remained employed for Krupp Mak, and Sven was sent to work in many foreign countries for varied lengths of time, on various engine types- MAK and Caterpillar as well as power plants too. Sven was dedicated to his employer and loved the work he did and the people he worked with.  He always returned home with many stories to share of his adventures.

Sven and Esther had two children together Lily Spirit Petersen and Handrik Storm Rose Petersen.  Their time together was spent kayaking and hiking, fishing in the mountains and then later moved to an acreage and cared for horses, dogs and chickens and gardens. Sven loved to work with his hands and was experienced DIY and did many renovations when he was not sent away to work. Lily and Handrik both share his passion for cooking, gardening and European vehicles and reside and work in Alberta.

This marriage lasted 16 years and Sven and Esther remained amicable after their divorce. He will be deeply missed by his entire Alberta family.  

Sven met Evangeline and their relationship flourished. He married Evangeline Pascual and were together 16 years and they had 2 children, Leon & Lyan.

Sven was a competitive kayaker and swimmer in his younger years, showcasing his determination and love for adventure. He also had a deep passion for gardening, caring for animals—both pets and livestock—and spending time at the beach. He enjoyed tackling DIY projects around the house and had a knack for mechanic work, with a special fondness for his favorite vehicles, Mercedes and BMW.

Above all, Sven was a dedicated and loving father and husband who always puts his family first. He’s been a constant source of support, care, and love, always there when we needed him. We treasure our family moments together, whether it’s going out, shopping, or simply enjoying each other’s company. His presence will be deeply missed when he’s not around because our family outings are never the same without him. When he’s home, it’s our cherished tradition to always go out together as a family

Visitation will be from 2-4 and 6-8pm on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at Ettinger Funeral Home, 2812 Hwy 2 Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia. 

Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, January 10, 2025, at 12:15pm at Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, Truro, Nova Scotia, Father Jim O’Connor officiating. Cremation to follow.

Interment will follow in St. Bridget’s Cemetery in the spring. 

Memorials or donations may be made to Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church 669 Prince Street, Truro, NS., B2N 1G5  1 - (902) 893 - 7188

Tributes, words of comfort and memories of Sven may be shared with the family at: www.ettingerfuneralhome.com

Thursday
9
January

Visitation

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Thursday, January 9, 2025
Ettinger Funeral Home
2812 Highway 2
Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia, Canada
902-758-3259
Thursday
9
January

Visitation

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Thursday, January 9, 2025
Ettinger Funeral Home
2812 Highway 2
Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia, Canada
902-758-3259
Friday
10
January

Mass of Christian Burial

12:15 pm - 1:25 pm
Friday, January 10, 2025
Immaculate Conception Church
669 Prince Street
Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada
902-893-7188
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Sven