Obituary of Paul W. Swanson

Paul W. Swanson, 80, of Bemus Point, passed away Monday, Jan. 30, 2023 at UPMC Hamot in Erie with his family by his side. He was born Oct. 24, 1942 in Buffalo, NY and was a graduate of Jamestown High School. In earlier years, he had been employed by AMSCO Excel as head of the paint dept. and as manager of the Skinindosha Marina. In 1982, he began his 33-year employment with the Chautauqua Lake Association, over 20 years of which serving as general manager, retiring in 2015. Upon his retirement, Paul received a citation and proclamations from the NYS Assembly, NYS Senate, and US Congress. Known for his diligence, thoroughness and dedication, Paul received the NYS Federation of Lake Association's Lake Steward Award following his timely efforts during the emergency cleanup following a carp die-off throughout the Chautauqua Lake Basin. He enriched the lives of many through tireless dedication to the community and his sincere love of others and Chautauqua Lake. A member of the Chautauqua Lake Assoc., he also belonged to the Jamestown Rifle Club and Lakewood Rod & Gun Club. His love of the lake led to his enjoyment of boating and in earlier years, water skiing. Paul also enjoyed his corvettes, all eight of them through the years. Surviving is his wife, Donna Harner, whom he married May 6, 1961; a daughter, Cheri Swanson (Charles Hahn) of Winston-Salem, NC; and a brother-in-law, Richard Harner of Jamestown; as well as his beloved golden retriever, Beamer. He was preceded in death by his mother, Alice Swanson, and an uncle, Harold Swanson. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in the Lind Funeral Home. Rev. Robert Allport Cohoon will officiate. Private burial will be in Bemus Point Cemetery. Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Lind's. Memorials may be made to the Lawson Center at 73 Lakeside Dr., Bemus Point, NY 14712 or directly via their website.