Ronald F. Sveden

Ronald F. Sveden, 76, died peacefully, with his wife beside him, on September 29th in Brewster, after a long fight with lung disease. Ron was born on November 17th, 1934, in Salem, Massachusetts, to Ernest and Elsa Sveden, and then spent his childhood in Needham. He had a passion for hockey; he was the first goalie to receive the MVP in the Bay State League and continued to play at Michigan State University, where he studied restaurant management. He traveled the country setting up Howard Johnson’s restaurants, and then settled down in Wellesley to teach junior high school science for ten years. In 1962 he started a summer fish market business on the Cape and was hooked. He moved permanently to the Cape in 1971 with his wife Nancy and two children Erik and Marta and there he stayed, running Sveden’s Seafoods for the next 42 years. In the store he was noted for his smoked fish and specialty foods, but also for his honesty and sense of humor, and his blue eyes. His passions included the Boston Bruins, the Four Freshmen music group, old movies, an extra-rare steak, and above all, his wife Nancy and his children, grandchildren, and many friends.

Ron was, for most of his adult life, involved in community theatre on the Cape. Yet his most recent fame was earned from a horticultural phenomenon. In June of 2010 Ron sprouted a pea plant in his lung and gained great public interest, appearing on The Today Show, Rachel Ray, and several TV shows in Japan.

Ron is survived by his wife Nancy, son Erik and his wife Susan and two daughters Emily and Abigail, and his daughter Marta Rackmales, husband Tom, their son Robert and daughter Tizita, Ron’s sister Elsa Scott and husband Bruce, Ron’s brother David Sveden and wife Jane, brother-in-law Peter Frame and wife Cece, and Ron’s many nieces and nephews and their children.

There will be a memorial service for Ron on Saturday, October 8th, at 11 a.m. at the Brewster Baptist Church, where Ron and his wife spent many years working with youth, and providing brunches and dinners for the congregation. In lieu of flowers, any donations can be made in Ron‘s name to the Brewster Baptist Church. For online condolences and directions, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com