John Svenson, Celtics co-owner, dies

Boston -- John Svenson, a Boston developer and co-owner of the Celtics basketball team, has died at the age of 58.

Svenson had been ill with cancer for a year, the Boston Globe reported Tuesday. He died Saturday at Brigham's and Women's Hospital in Boston.

In 1982, Svenson and his brothers-in-law, Robert and David Epstein, formed The Abbey Group, which was responsible for a number of high-profile projects, including the Riverside Technology Center in Cambridge. Svenson had the title of treasurer and chief financial officer, but Robert Epstein said that the three were co-equals in management.

The Abbey Group was a partner in the purchase of the Celtics in late 2002.

"He was immensely proud to become an owner of the Celtics," Robert Epstein said. "Who, growing up, would think where fate would take us? None of us, John included, grew up in terribly wealthy homes, not the kind of childhoods where you would anticipate this level of success."

Svenson was also active in charitable organizations in Boston and in suburban Wayland, where he had lived for many years.

In addition to his wife, Elinor, he is survived by a daughter, two sons and his mother.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International.