Obituary of Gerald E. Swanson

Gerald E. "Jerry" Swanson, 85, of Weeks St., Jamestown, passed away on Saturday, June 3, 2017, in the Heritage Park Rehab and Skilled Nursing Facility, after a courageous battle with heart disease. An area resident most of his life, he was born on April 15, 1932 in Jamestown, a son of the late Oscar T. and Mildred Vanderhoof Swanson. He was a 1950 graduate of Jamestown High School, attended Kent State University and was a veteran of the United States Navy serving during the Korean War from 1951-1954. He was member of the First Lutheran Church and enjoyed photography, genealogy, and fishing. Jerry was the General Manager of Sunset Hill Cemetery in Lakewood from 1966 to 1987 where he left to manage Mount Hope and Riverside Cemeteries for the City of Rochester. He felt the call to take care of the bereaved. After retiring as a cemeterian, Jerry changed course and started working at the Resource Center. There helping disabled adults train and maintain jobs in the community brought him back to his first love- teaching. Jerry's crew of 14 worked at the Motel 6 winning awards from the company for excellence. It was a job, Jerry stated, "with a big payback." Jerry is survived by his wife of 64 years, Nancy K. Swanson, whom he married December 31, 1952; two daughters: Shelly (David) Sandquist of Falconer and Susan Swanson of Jamestown; two sons: Dr. Jeffrey (Linda) Swanson of Erie, Pa. and Timothy (Janice) Swanson of Jamestown; five grandchildren: Alexis Swanson, Matthew, Krista, and Michael Sandquist, and Jenna Swanson; two sister-in-laws: Maureen Swanson of Pa. and Patricia Swanson of Ga. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his three brothers: Merlin M., Brian L., and Allen T. Swanson. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 6, 2017 in the First Lutheran Church. The Rev. Daniel K. Nagle, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the Sunset Hill Cemetery with full military honors. Friends will be received from 5-7 p.m. on Monday in the Lind Funeral Home. The family wishes to thank the volunteers of Hospice and the staff of Heritage Park for the wonderful care given to Jerry. Memorials may be made to First Lutheran Church, 120 Chandler St., PO Box 969, Jamestown, NY 14701 or Chautauqua Hospice & Palliative Care, 20 W. Fairmount Ave., Lakewood, NY 14750.