Lars Gunnar Johannesson

How difficult it is to pay tribute, in this short space, to Dad, Papa, husband, son, brother, friend and inspiration to so many.

Lars was born one of six children to Gunnar and Gunnel Johannesson on August 10th, 1951 in Ingatorp and raised in Bruzaholm, Sweden. Growing up, he had a mischievous nature from a young age -- a naturally inquisitive mind for anything with an engine, wheels, or the ability to go fast. Much to the demise of his mother, he frequently found himself testing the boundaries of her patience with his curiosities. Such stories of dismantling an engine and washing the pieces in her bathtub come to mind, or adventuring out on the lake in an old boat when he had no business at all being on the water, which resulted in having to be rescued by a neighbour.

During his years in Sweden, Lars completed several years of military service. He trained as a mechanical engineer and drove large trucks for the military before he had a license to drive a car. If there was a problem with an engine, or anything mechanical / electrical, Lars could fix it. Lars also had a love of the water, which began an engineering career at sea that took him to all corners of the world, with container line ACL and later in his career to North Atlantic fishing grounds with Osprey Ltd. On land, he enjoyed rally racing in Europe, and trying anything fast on wheels during his time between sea voyages.

Lars’ sea time eventually landed him in Halifax, Nova Scotia in the late 1980’s, where he met Maria (Beyer), and where they built their life together in Halifax with daughters Anna and Kim. This life included family adventures on the water throughout eastern Canada where Lars was skipper of his own boats, including Griffon, Glaine, and later the Atlantic Cougar with Maggie. Lars also launched his own very successful engineering business (ProMec Engineering), servicing technical and production facilities at CORCAN correctional centres throughout Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

Maria passed away too soon and too young. Lars and their precious girls found their way forward, and in 1999 Maria sent an angel to help raise her girls. Maggie fearlessly stepped in where few would dare, raising two pre-teen girls with bundles of attitude. Maggie, Lars, Anna and Kim have had a wonderful family life together, and this year Lars and Maggie celebrated 25 amazing years of marriage.

In 2001, Lars left his life at sea, and returned to working with his special friends at Scanwood (Dartmouth), while during his off time he once again found his love of racing, this time involving his girls. There were many family weekends spent at AMP (Atlantic Motorsports Park) in Shubenacadie, or at the “dirt bike pits”, until Multiple Sclerosis forced the end of working and racing in 2008.

Lars never stopped finding new pursuits to excel at despite the challenges that life threw at him. In most recent years Lars became the go-to for anything computer and tech, flying drones and discovering the art of photography. His ‘three girls’, as he affectionately called them, are left with a treasured collection of this passion. Never one to give in or give up, Lars has taught us all with his never-ending pursuit of excellence. Above all, Lars was made to provide his best of everything that matters for his family. He approached every challenge in the same way - methodically, practically, and with courage.

Lars is survived by his loving wife Maggie (nee Colleen Hennessy), daughters Anna Maria and Kim Simone (Matthew Veinotte), cherished granddaughter Hensley Maria, and three grand-doggies Loki, Beau and Dax. Also missing Lars are his family in Småland, Sweden – sisters Anne-Christine Hedberg, Carin (Heinz Dahlke), Gunn Brag (Veine Nilsson), Anette (Göran Nordin), brother Anders, many nieces and nephews, and the entire families of Maria (the Beyers) and Maggie (the Hennessys).

Our gratitude to all the individuals and organizations that supported Lars and our family throughout his final days, including Dr. Eddy Kinley, the Halifax Neurology and Palliative Care teams and Hospice Halifax.

In lieu of flowers, Lars and his family would be humbled with a donation to any number of deserving causes, including MS Canada or Hospice Halifax.

Lars wanted his family to have a small party for family and friends. Date and location to be announced on this site when ‘his girls’ have had a chance to plan it the way he would have liked - methodically, practically, and with courage.