CAMDEN — Bengt Gordon Bengtsson, 84, died peacefully at Falmouth By The Sea on Thursday, July 26, 2012 surrounded by his three loving children. He was born on July 8, 1928, to Jonas and Elly Bengtsson in Copenhagen, Denmark. Bengt was larger than life. He was great fun and loved to laugh. His sense of humor and positive outlook endured throughout his life, especially during his final months and days of his fight against eccrine cancer.

In his formative years, Bengt attended the Danish School of England, Oxford University and later during his professional years, attended Williams College. In his twenties, Bengt followed his Danish Aunt and Uncle to Boston where he met and married Marie E. Stevens in August of 1953. Together they set their sights on Southern Maine as a beautiful place to raise their family.

He began in the banking industry as a teller with Canal National Bank headquartered in Portland. He was promoted to the Scarborough Branch and later to the Bath Branch where he rose to the position of vice president. He served as president of The Rotary Club in Bath and continued as an active member throughout his life. Bengt also worked in the financial sector in Washington D.C., Naples, Florida, and most recently in Camden, Maine into his mid 70s. He was a fixture at Penobscot Bay Medical Center as an admissions volunteer-always greeting people with a confident, bright smile.

Bengt was known for his sense of adventure, his zest for life, and his strength. He lived his life with style and elegance. He just drank it up. Bengt was an accomplished fencer, an award winning ballroom dancer, gifted photographer, violinist and member of the Appalachian Mountain Club. He loved to play chess as well as play and watch professional tennis.

Most of all, Bengt loved his three children Chris, Jeff, and Holly. He was so proud of each of them and enjoyed weaving his Danish traditions and heritage into their lives. He made his children laugh, he made his children proud, and he made life sweet. Right to the end, Bengt showed them how to live with passion, heart and grace.

Bengt was predeceased by his parents, Jonas and Elly; and by his sister Alice Lund. Bengt is survived by his loving three children; Chris Bengtsson (Lisa) of Rockport, Jeff Bengtsson (Donna) of Freeport, and Holly (Lee) Thibodeau of Cumberland Foreside. He leaves behind his four grandchildren; Elly Bengtsson, William Bengtsson, Jack Thibodeau, and Kate Thibodeau and two nephews Claus Lund and Jens Lund. Bengt is also survived by the mother of his beloved children, Marie Stevens Bengtsson of Brunswick.

A private funeral service was held at Lindquist Funeral Home in Yarmouth on Tuesday, July 31, 2012. Please visit www.lindquistfuneralhome.com to share your condolences, memories and tributes with Bengt’s family.

“Just living is not enough, said the butterfly. One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.” – Hans Christian Andersen

Please consider contributing memorial donations to the American Cancer Society.