Lars Edward Helgesen, 88, St. Petersburg, FL funeral services are 11:00 AM, Friday, December 11, 2009 at the St Luke’s United Methodist Church, 4444 5th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33713 with Dr, Craig Moore, to officiate. Lars was a World War II Veteran of the Norwegian Merchant Marine and he was born April 2, 1921 in Haugesund, Norway and died on December 7, 2009 at St. Anthony Hospital, St Petersburg, FL. He is a member of St Luke’s United Methodist Church and he was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Lars was the owner of A & L Supermarket on City Island, NY and a Chef restauranteur. Preceded in death by his parents, Kornelius and Marie Helgesen; his wife, Anna Theresa Helgesen, a sister, Bertha Grindhaug and a son Steven Helgesen, Lars is survived by his wife, Sara Helgesen and his six children: Mary Ellen Burgess of City Island, NY; , Michael Joseph Helgesen and his wife, Patricia of Ridgefield, CT; Karl Edward Helgesen and, Lynn Boyle of City Island, NY; Laurence Helgesen of New Fairfield, CT; Christine Pugliese and her husband, Salvatore of Mahopac, NY, Elizabeth Jane Porter and her husband, Keith of New Fairfield, CT. Lars is also survived by two step sons, Richard Thomas (Tom) Jennings and his wife, Georganna of Port Charlotte, FL and Paul Jefferson (Jeff)Jennings and his wife, Karen of Rockledge, FL; Lars is also survived by a brother, Sigurd Helgesen of Stavanger, Norway; two sisters; Kirsten Iversen and her husband, Ivar and Kitty Perrson, all of Stavanger, Norway and ten loving grandchildren; Edward P. Burgess and his wife Ann Marie, Danielle Marie Burgess, Anthony Michael Pugliesi, Caitlin Marie Helgesen, Melanie Ann Porter, Robert Michael Porter, Steven Lars Porter, John Helgesen, Mark Helgesen and Michael Joseph Helgesen.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 4444 5th Avenue N St. Petersburg, FL 33713 in the memory of Lars Edward Helgesen.
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A loving husband and father
A most generous person.
Always willing to give of himself to all.
Polaris has set.
The best father-in-law ever. So gracious, loving and thoughtful.
Tom, we are so sorry to hear about Lars death, Sympathies to you and all of your family.
Lars was someone very special. Not only to us..but to anyone who met him. He always went above and beyond in all he did for others. A very loving husband, father, and grandfather. We will never forget his strong hugs or his wonderful lasagna. Well done God’s good and faithful servant. We will see you again one day.
Dear Sarah & family,
We were saddened to learn of Lars’ death. We looked forward to seeing and visiting with you and Lars at our class reunions. We always thought of Lars as a kind and gentle man and we know he will be missed. We send our sincere condolences.
David & Jean MoorerB
Sadie and Family, We appreciate your asking Dago to call us. I have emailed Class of 43 members with email addresses. When I called you on your birthday you told me Lars was very ill. We are never ready to lose our loved ones and the only comfort has to come from our Faith in the Sovereignty of God and the manifested concern of caring friends. Just know we are thinking of you and will hold you in our prayers. Lars always seemed to enjoy our Class of 43 functions. Joe & Zunita
R.I.P. my wonderful Father-In Law. Great family man who raised wonderful children. Told me of the bitter cold North Atlanic when he sailed supplies and cargo to Mermansk during WW11. Told me how the Brits endured the bombing of London. Told me of the German Wolf Packs hunting the vessels and Merchant Marines in the Atlantic. Told me of taking a torpedo hit from a German U-Boat in the Gulf of Mexico and abandoning a severly listing vessel with a leg injury. He was a great family man and a great veteran ! Thank you for your kindness. Thank you for your sevice to the USA, Norway and Allied Powers.
A strong, compassionate man, Lars Helgesen was a true Father-in-Law to me for many years. Over these years, I looked forward to his smile and intelligent conversation. Lars shared stories about his life which not only brought interest and intrigue, but a continual element of surprise. Yes, this man has lived many ’chapters’ in his 88 years, and thus, will be remembered by many, many people.
I love his son Karl Edward, who like all Lars’ children, have familiar traits that remind me of their father. To you all, know that I am honored to have known your Dad; to have sat at his tables generously filled with meat and vegetable platters, gravy, potatoes, noodles and so much more. I am blessed to be part of his family.
My thoughts and prayers are with each of you who loved him, miss him, and will always remember him. God Bless Lars Edward Helgesen;
Takk deg, og kan du hviler i Fred. Vi vil huske,
Lynn, City Island, New York
December 11, 2009
Dear Helgesen Family,
Please know that in these times of sorrow and grief, our condolences are with you all.
With love, sincerity and prayers from our family to yours,
Barbara Boyle (Lynn’s Mother)
North Port, FL
It is important to grieve the loss of a great man like my dad. There really is no time limit for that. Throughout my life there will be, in my heart, the memories that never go away. But life does not stand still. Life goes on. Life is an adventure, a journey. So eventually, the pain will subside and the sweet memories of my dad will take over…
From all of the Redmond’s. We have lost a great man, a loving father and a fellow Christian. Our salvation is knowing he will be waiting for us with open arms and a table full of one of his amazing feasts. Everyone and anyone was always welcome in his home and in his heart. I myself felt honored and humbled to be able to call his “Uncle”. With all our love, God bless. Kevin, Angela, James and Elizabeth.
My Father-in-law was an honorable WWII veteran,who fought for his native country Norway. I enjoyed hearing the stories of when he served in the Norwegian Merchant Marines. I will cherish the times we spent together.
A deeply beloved brother, uncle and brother in law, has left us behind with a great feeling of loss. we regret that we did not get the oppertunity to visit him in Florida. We remember him as a loving person with a great smile, very helpful and caring and full of knowledge. We miss you. We send our sincere condolences to Sara and the family.