Svein Staaby

Svein was born in Farsund, Norway on May 15, 1945. At the age of three, he made his first trip across the Atlantic with his mother and siblings as they went to join his father in Brooklyn, New York. After that, the family moved between the U.S. and Norway a couple of times, but eventually settled in Brooklyn for several years, where Svein graduated from Fort Hamilton High School and later went on to graduate from the University of Pittsburgh. He served in the Army National Guard for 19 years. Svein was a carpenter and truck driver until retirement in 2018.

Svein’s joy and purpose in life came from his family and his faith. In 1980, Svein met Robin. As Svein would put it, he saw Robin and after one day together fell in love. They were married in 1982 and together raised their four children on Staten Island. His kids loved hearing his stories of growing up in both the U.S. and Norway. He had a quick wit and loved to make people laugh. He could fix anything and loved to help others. He enjoyed family trips to Pennsylvania, Norway, Virginia, Camp Spofford in New Hampshire, and, more recently, Disney World. He loved being a Bestefar to his six grandchildren and would tell everyone about number seven on the way. Svein was a member of Bethany Lutheran Brethren Church in Westerleigh where he served as the head of the trustee board.

Svein is predeceased by his parents, Søren and Anna Staaby, his sister, Liv Berit, and his brother, Sigurd Normann. He is survived by his wife, Robin Staaby; his sister, Kirsten Jakobsen of Flekkefjord, Norway; his children and their spouses: Charlotte-Anne Harrell (Justin) of Fishkill, NY; Kirsten Hoegh (Travis) of Forest, VA; Mary-Ellen Benson (Owen) of Decatur, GA; Svein Staaby (Jill) of St. Louis, MO; his grandchildren, Madeline Harrell, Lily Harrell, Soren Hoegh, Ingrid Hoegh, Emmerson Benson, Elin Benson, and a granddaughter (Svein and Jill) due in October 2023; and his extended family both in the U.S. and Norway.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Svein’s memory may be made to:

Bethany Lutheran Brethren Church

233 Westcott Boulevard

Staten Island, New York 10314

Memorial fund:

Online: https://bethanychurchsiny.org/memorial

Check: Please note Memorial in memo line