Eskild Alva Hansen a longtime resident of Ormond by the Sea on Thursday January 8 2009 began his life's ultimate journey in true Viking fashion: stoically with his wife of 63 years by his side. Also near to bid a final farewell were son Erik daughter Karen and dear family friend & loving caregiver Michelle Harris.
Born in the harbor town of Helsingor Denmark on March 18 1919 Eskild was the sixth of nine children of Valdemar Christian Hansen & Karen Jensen. After finishing a machinists' apprenticeship in 1938 the self-assured Dane embarked upon the first of his many voyages as a merchant seaman. He sailed first aboard Danish vessels later on tankers of the ESSO fleet under the Panamanian flag. Eskild visited ports on four continents and rode out horrific winter storms on the North Atlantic; he survived torpedo attacks on the Allied merchant ship convoys all the while resolutely advancing from 4th assistant to Chief Engineer. He remained stalwart friends with some of his Danish shipmates one of whom came to live in Daytona Beach years later.
In New York City in 1945 a shared attraction & a charming twist of fate brought Eskild into the social circle of Helen Garliaskas; they were married that December. Along with a colorful group of close knit friends they enjoyed the varied restaurants & vibrant nightlife of the city whenever Eskild was in port. After a 13 month stint aboard the M/S Prometheus that carried him as far as Anofogasta Chile on the Pacific coast of South America to Holland the Caribbean and back again the sailor came ashore for good in May of 1947 and set a new course in life with a job at Complete Machinery on Long Island.
The couple at long last visited Denmark in 1953 when Eskild was reunited with his family & Helen was warmly welcomed into the Hansen clan. They returned in 1957 with 2 1/2 year old Erik in tow. In 1966 the family again traveled to Denmark this time joined by 3 year old Karen Sue. His Danish heritage was important to Eskild and he passed this sentiment on to his children. Later that year Florida beckoned & the Hansens moved to Ormond by the Sea eventually settling at 1854 John Anderson Drive. Until he retired at the age of 71 Eskild's commute to work at Complete Wellpoint would be along A1A and the shore of the ocean that had had such profound influence on his life.
The Hansen household was the backdrop for many lively & memorable gatherings over the years with a wonderful cast of characters -friends & family alike- sharing traditional Danish meals & milestone celebrations that often wound up with voices lifted in song accompanied by piano harmonica and Eskild's old accordion. He was a generous & engaging host handsome & sociable never failing to credit wife Helen for all of her support & good humor patience & unconditional love.
Eskild's long life was one rich with experience & integrity fellowship & laughter. He was a dear husband and an understated romantic. He was a proud father who instilled in son Erik a strong work ethic and an affinity & inclination for all things mechanical. He was a teacher: at the tiller of a home built sailboat or at the lathe in a machine shop. He was an artist whose innate talent emerged in a variety of media. To daughter Karen Eskild was a touchstone of strength patience & reserve. He shared with her his love of the water of books & learning and of art & travel.
Eskild's passing leaves a great space in the hearts of those who knew and loved him a gap he would want filled with warm smiles as glasses are raised for hearty toasts of fond remembrance.
Survivors include in addition to his wife Helen children Erik and Karen grandchildren Travis Kristine Eric Sean and Ashley and 2 great grandchildren. Brother Knud Erik Saugsted lives in Cartaya Spain and sister; Anne Marie Saugsted in Helsingor Denmark.
The family wishes that donations made in Eskild's name go to Hospice of Volusia/Flagler.