Sven Kristian Johannessen

Sven Kristian Johannessen lived his long, active life until passing away from a short illness on January 17, 2012 at age 97. Sven was born into a seafaring family on March 14, 1914 in Rolvsoy, Norway. Sven was a resident of the Alderwood Manor/Edmonds/Lynnwood area since the late 40s. He was preceded in passing by his wife Vivian of 62 years. He is survived by his three sons: Tor and his wife Judy, Per, and Donald and his partner Jaime; grandchildren: Karin and her husband Michael, Phillip and his wife Kristen, Keri, Tina and Jamie; great grandson Kadyn, as well as beloved relatives in the U.S., Norway and Sweden. His niece Kirsten Landsverk, from Oslo, was with Sven when he passed. Sven was fortunate to have his great nephew, Sven Kristian Landsverk visit over Christmas. Sven began sailing when he was 17. His first job was on the Bollette, a small coastal freighter which sailed the North Sea where his father Edvin was an engineer. Sven always said his most important promotion was when he became deck boy. Dad was a strong believer in education and early on went to school to earn his mates and then captains papers. Sven sailed on Norways Fred Olsen Lines MS Abraham Lincoln during World War II, making recurring convoy crossings of the North Atlantic without a break throughout the war. Following the war, he emigrated to the United States and was proud when he became an American citizen. In the U.S. Sven sailed for Central Gulf Steamship Corporation where he was the Senior Skipper, and near the end of his career captained the largest container ship in the world at the time. During his retirement Sven was active in boating and fishing, The Coast Guard Auxilliary, The Edmonds Historical Museum, and the Norwegian Seamen and War Veterans Association. Sven and Vivian had traveled extensively and enjoyed the opera. Sven also loved to garden and was noted for his extraordinary roses. He was passionate about his cooking and enjoyed many hours in the kitchen planning and preparing meals. Announcement: Remembrances may be given to The Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society, PO Box 52, Edmonds, WA 98020.