Services in Ridgefield for Svend M. Jansen, proud FDNY firefighter

A Man Well-Loved, a Life Well-Lived …

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Eternal Viking Adventurer, Svend M. Jansen (89), beloved husband of Eileen Jansen (O’Neill); loving father of Karen Jansen, Geraldine Jansen (son-in-law, Michael Klecan), Svend Jansen (daughter-in-law, Tracy Jansen), and preceded in death by his son, Michael Jansen; proud grandfather of Tom Klecan, Michelle Hogan, Kelsey Klecan (Garrett Haviland, spouse), Christopher Hogan, Xavier Jansen and Cadence Jansen.

Born in Brooklyn to immigrant parents from Denmark and Ireland, Svend learned early on the value of hard work. Raised in Parkchester, Bronx, NY, Svend was a basketball and track star in his youth at St. Raymond’s grammar school and Cardinal Hayes High School.

Svend will be remembered for his outgoing personality, making friends wherever he went, pride and passion about his Danish Viking heritage, commitment to family traditions, and general love of life. He was a dedicated husband to his wife of 46 years, Eileen, and together they lived, loved and laughed. He was a devoted father and embraced every moment spent with his children. He especially loved his role as Grandpa and Papa and was always quick to offer a surprise piece of candy from his pocket.

Svend was a proud FDNY firefighter from 1966 through his retirement in 1994, having been an original member of the “Tin House” where Engine 85 was housed in the late 1960s and 1970s. Swede, as he was commonly known, transferred from Engine 85 to Engine 89, where he served for many years before retiring from Ladder 53, City Island’s “Fantasy Island.” Svend’s deep connection to the FDNY continued after his retirement when he continued to meet with old friends at Rory Dolan’s to reminisce and make new memories.

Every visitor to Svend and Eileen’s home who saw his “FDNY Wall” was always so impressed not only with his service, but with the pride he took in having had the privilege of service to a city he was born and raised in and to the Brothers he loved and respected.

Svend enjoyed life like no other: big-ship cruising and casinos, garage/estate sales, horse racing and Kentucky Derby parties, power napping in the backyard enjoying the sun, gardening, “sitting and relaxing” while drinking boxed red wine (with an ice cube), football Sundays, family getaways to Shawnee Mountain, Squantz Pond, and Williams Lake yelling “Odin” from the top of his lungs, all while taking the perfect candid pictures with one of his many digital cameras. With a type AAA personality, his hands were rarely still.

Svend lived by the teachings of St. Jude, his most revered patron saint: “Thank you, St. Jude, for the promise of hope you hold out to all who believe. Inspire me to give this gift of hope to others as it has been given to me. Amen.”

Family and friends will be received on Tuesday, April 18, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Kane Funeral Home; 25 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield, CT. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Saint Mary's Church; 55 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield, CT, followed by a Celebration of Life in the Casagmo Clubhouse. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, http://www.cancer.org or Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, http://www.stjude.org.