CDR Gust G Svenson, USNR, Retired

Gust, 79, died peacefully at home in Greenfield Center on Sunday, July 21.

He was born in Saratoga Springs, to Valborg Linea and Svan G. Svanson. He is survived by Ann Vollmer Svenson, his wife of 49 years, his brother Karl Patrick Svanson (Mary) of Elbridge, NY, nephews Michael and Timothy and niece Barbara.

Gust was a dedicated athlete his whole life. He was co-captain of the Saratoga Springs High School football team and was offered numerous full scholarships to college to play football choosing powerhouse Syracuse University, where he played in both Gator and Sugar bowls. He was an accomplished competitive runner of distances from 3 to 50 miles. When he saw the Hawaii Ironman World Championship broadcast on TV in 1981, he found a new challenge. Two years later he became Saratoga's first Ironman. At that time it was the only Ironman triathlon in the world. When he broke his hip and couldn't run, he reverted to his shipboard exercise—pull-ups—doing up to 1000 a day.

Upon graduation from Syracuse, he attended Naval Officer Candidate School and was commissioned in 1968. His naval career took him to many exciting places in the world. He retired in 1989 after a couple of tours at the Pentagon, luckily before 9/11–the plane that hit the pentagon crashed into his former office.

A graveside service for family will be held Saturday, November 2, and will be followed by a party. That day is the 50th anniversary of Ann & Gust's wedding and the Day of the Dead, when family and friends gather to remember those who've died.

There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, November 2, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Warming Hut in the Spa State Park. Please follow the link below for directions.

Directions to the Warming Hut in the Spa State Park

In lieu of flowers, Gust would suggest you go for a walk or run and enjoy the gift of movement of which he was robbed the last few months of his life.

If you wish to make a donation in his memory, the family recommends donating to SAIL (Southern Adirondack Independent Living).

Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (518-584-5373).