1927 - 2026
He leaves behind his devoted wife, Maddie, and his four children: Brett Borglund and his wife, Linda, of Westborough; Clay Borglund and his partner, Kerrie, of Westborough; Todd Borglund and his wife, Ruth, of Worcester; and Sterling Fitzgibbons and her husband, Shawn, of Westborough. He also leaves his loving granddaughters, Amanda, Melanie, and Cora; his great-grandchildren, Penelope and Edward; and his caring stepdaughters, Lynn Lewis and Denise Hessen of Michigan, along with their extended families. He was predeceased by his first wife, Coralyn, and his brothers, Harry and Walter.
Born in Worcester, Sven grew up in the close-knit Swedish community of College Hill. He treasured memories of his childhood, including walking to school and saving his trolley money for double features at the movies and hot dogs at George’s Coney Island.
During World War II, Sven put his education on hold to serve his country in the Pacific aboard the attack transport USS Westmoreland. After returning home, he enjoyed life on Cape Cod, where he ran a party and fishing boat with his best friend, Henry, and cousin, Bunky.
Sven later earned his GED and Journeyman’s license and began a lifelong career as an electrician. He eventually earned his Master Electrician license and served as Westborough’s first wiring inspector before joining the Gilbane Building Company.
Sven’s personal life took another meaningful turn while working at Gilbane, where he met Maddie. Together, they shared 38 years filled with laughter, music, family, and friends. They lived in Yarmouth, Maine, before moving to the Cape, where they enjoyed boating, singing in church choirs, cooking for church gatherings, watching backyard birds, and making music together, with Maddie playing the violin and Sven accompanying her on ukulele.
An eternal optimist with a playful spirit, Sven enjoyed golfing with his friends, the “Back Niners,” as well as rounds at Barnstable Country Club. In his later years, he discovered a passion for painting and enjoyed filling canvases with color. He also never missed his morning crossword puzzle.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, October 23rd at 11:00 AM at the First Lutheran Church of Cape Cod, located at 1663 Main Street (Route 6A) in West Barnstable.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cape & Islands Veterans Outreach Center, which provides housing support, transportation, food distribution, and counseling services for veterans on Cape Cod.
