Pedersen, Egon – Age 67, of Bible Hill, passed away on November 17, 2023 at his home with the love of his family surrounding him.
Egon is survived by his wife, Carlee (Davis); daughter, Megon Helfrich (Anthony); grandchildren, Allison and Linden; fur-baby, August, Central Onslow; and son, Ryan Pedersen (Caroline); and fur-baby, Rue, Brackley, PEI. Egon is also survived by his sister, Lone and brothers, Svend and Steven and their families in BC and Alberta. Egon will be missed by many family in a very broad sense of the word.
Family includes all that have shared our home and our lives, our connections in NS, NB, PEI, Alberta, family in Denmark, and the students from around the world that were hosted in our home and Egon became their Canadian “dad”.
Egon was born in Frederikssund, Denmark, and first came to Canada when he was 6 months old. He came by ship and that probably started his initial love of the water; that plus his Viking heritage! Egon later became a Canadian citizen in 1982, “a $10.00 Canadian,” as he put it. He was very proud of his Alberta roots and since 1987, his Maritime home.
From age 6, Egon developed a long-lasting friendship with Dave Matheson, one that continued throughout his life. He attended a Calgary football game with Dave on a trip west in July of this year.
Egon spent his early years in Alberta and British Columbia and left school to work on several farms to help his family. Egon attended SAIT in Calgary and earned his Red Seal as a Bricklayer. He worked as a bricklayer for over 40 years, sometimes working for others and for a time had his own company, Pedersen Masonry. This work took him to various locations in the US, Canada and Japan. No matter where he was, he stayed connected to his family with letters and postcards; no Facetime then!
Egon was known for many things: being a great dad, role model, a Morfar to Allie and Linden, a tour guide, builder and repairer of anything and everything and fulfilling the dreams of Carlee with anything that was old. Carlee would say, “oh, I love that,” and after some discussion(!), he always made it a reality – from redoing our “old” home in Bible Hill and our “old” school in Malagash, plus all the “old” treasures that were found everywhere, including in the ditch!
If you ever visited with us, Egon would have had you seeing the beautiful parts of our province through his eyes. He always had a plan and wanted an early start on those travel days with family and friends. Gale and Rico Squizzato were always up for any plans, whatever they were, planned or unplanned, from gopher museums, shopping at Value Village, the search for double-salted licorice, fishing for caplin, taking part in a Newfoundland shed party, quadding with Rico and other crazy adventures whenever we were together, including our surprise trip west this summer. Egon loved to BBQ and his burgers were always a hit. He was willing to experiment with his cooking skills and was extremely proud of the cookies he made and the bunny pancakes at Easter. He was quick to comment on how clean he could keep the kitchen when he cooked compared to Carlee.
Egon and Carlee came to NS to live in 1987. What started as a holiday ended up being a move to the East! Egon became a Maritimer at heart.
In recent years he so enjoyed “our happy place” in Malagash (our old school), the wildlife (bear watching), walks on the beach searching for sea glass, the drives for ice cream and to Pugwash for cinnamon buns, sitting on the deck having a coffee in the early morning and a Keiths, Skaal (cheers in Danish), later in the day when it was time to get the bonfire going and the marshmallows out. So many thanks to our Malagash family for all their help and support.
Egon had been a member of the Bible Hill Fire Dept. He was always quick to support his children, Megon and Ryan, throughout their school years and beyond with whatever they were involved in, everything from buying Girl Guide cookies to Volkswagens! His children were his great achievement and you could see his pride when he spoke of them and their accomplishments!
Egon also enjoyed another job, working with Carlee (unofficially!) in her role with the Nova Scotia International Student Program. He agreed to help with anything needed (even before he knew he had agreed!). He was the “Canadian dad” to many over the years, drove kids to appointments, airport greeter, chaperone for excursions and hotel quarantines during COVID, he set up for many events, and was the tour guide. He was always interested in the background and lives of all the students.
Our family is very appreciative of the support we have had during Egon’s short but difficult illness these last two months – the emails, phone calls, prayers, drop in visits and all the offers to do anything. We understand how important healthcare is to us all. Our family has felt looked after, loved and supported by the “health care system” that often receives so much negative publicity. So many thanks to 8.3 at the Halifax Infirmary and specialists at the Victoria General. You tried, we tried and Egon tried but it was not to be. In lieu of flowers please feel free to donate to health care in some way, through your local hospitals, the VON, Red Cross or other health care organizations.
Egon’s final wishes were “no funeral.” Instead, he wanted to welcome any that are able to “fill” our home. He always loved having visitors! Please feel free to drop by our home to share your memories and enjoy a laugh. No tears allowed!
Celebration for Egon – Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023 from 2 – 6 p.m. in 9 Wright Ave., Bible Hill.
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