Obituary of Henning Arnold Swanson

Henning Arnold "Arnie" Swanson, 87, formerly of 539 Prospect St. Jamestown passed away on Saturday evening, January 13, 2018, in the Westhaven Enhanced Assisted Living Home in Guilderland, NY. A lifelong Jamestown resident, he was born March 19, 1930 in Jamestown, NY, the only child of Henning I. and Jennie Marie Bengtson Swanson. Arnie was a 1948 graduate of Jamestown High School and was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving from October 17, 1950 to March 2, 1954 on the USS Cabot and the USS Midway. Following his tour of duty with the U.S. Navy, he returned to Jamestown and continued working for Dahlstrom Manufacturing Corporation as Director of Purchasing. Before his retirement, he was the Office Manager for Aarque Management Corporation, where he worked for several years. He was a longtime active member of the First Lutheran Church where he served on the church council, the Board of Deacons, and was an Assistant Sunday School Superintendent for many years. He was also very active in community affairs and had memberships in several clubs and organizations including, Joint Neighborhood Project, Jamestown Norden Club, the Viking Lodge, and the ROMEO (retired old men eating out)Club. He was one of the founding fathers of the Jamestown Ski Club, and later served as a National Ski Patroller at Peek-n-Peak Resort for over 30 years. Arnie loved skiing, something he continued to do until he was well into his seventies. He enjoyed the simple pleasures of hiking, sailing, swimming, cross country skiing, and traveling with his wife Donna Rae, his family and friends. Donna Rae was the love of his life and it was very difficult for Arnie over the last 20 years to live without her by his side. Every day was a "beautiful day" to Arnie, especially if it was a blizzard! He enjoyed spending time at places like Peak-in-Peak, Warner's Bay on Chautauqua Lake, and Allegheny State Park. He used is unique draftsman skills to draw up the plans and helped build his home at 539 Prospect St. which was built in 1955 and where he called home until his move to Guilderland five years ago. Surviving are his three children, Steven A. (Joyce) Swanson of Guilderland, NY, Susan L. Maloney of Frewsburg, NY, Lisa R. (Tim) Griffin of Northborough, MA, five grandchildren, Erik H. (Stephanie) Swanson, Jenna E. (Dan) Haggerty, Kimberly Rae (Mike) Gibson, Christine M. Griffin, Brendan M. Griffin and five great grandchildren, Madeleine and Westley Swanson, Kendal and Michaela Gibson, and Henley Haggerty. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife Donna Rae Anderson Swanson whom he married October 9, 1954 and who died July 7. 1998. The funeral will be held at 11 am Thursday in Memorial Chapel of First Lutheran Church. The Rev. Daniel K. Nagle, pastor will officiate. Burial will be in the Sunset Hill Cemetery. Friends will be received at the luncheon following the service in the church parlors. As you remember Arnie's bright blue eyes, please take a moment to hug someone, and let them know they matter. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Community Hospice Foundation, 295 Valley View Blvd, Rennsselaer, NY 12144 or to the Lewy Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Hill Road, S.W. Lilburn, GA 30047.