Charles Swanson

SOUTH PARIS — Charles W. Swanson. 88, of Casco, Maine, formerly of Tewksbury, Mass., entered into rest on Jan. 29, 2013. He was born in Everett, Mass. Oct. 23, 1924, the beloved son of the late Chester and Margaret Swanson. He was the eldest of six children, the late Jean Doherty, Marilyn Davis, the late Chester Swanson, Donna Bernat, and Pamela Pothier.

He served as a tail gunner in the Navy in World War II from 1943 to 1946. He married Phyllis Parsons in 1946 and together they had six children, Carl Swanson, Wendy Welton, Lynne Gilbert, Robin Swanson, Scott Swanson, and Heidi Lloyd. They lived in Tewksbury for 34 years until the passing of his beloved Phyllis in 1993. He was fortunate enough to meet another wonderful woman, Sylvia Berry, from Casco, with whom he would spend the rest of his life. Together they joined two families forever, Rick Berry, Teresa Windrush, Leslie Barry and Hope Smith.

Throughout his life he was an avid sportsman, one of the founding members of the Tewksbury Rod and Gun Club. He also was a 32nd degree Mason. He was a lifetime member of the NRA. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and photography, and passed his love for these onto his children and grandchildren. He was an active member of the Casco American Legion Post 155 for 19 years.

He leaves behind his three sisters, Marilyn Davis, Donna Bernet, Pamela Pothier and her husband Steve; his loving wife Sylvia (Berry) Swanson; daughters Wendy Welton and her husband Phil, Lynne Gilbert and her husband Harlee, Robin Swanson and her wife Karen, Heidi Lloyd and her husband David, Rick Berry and his wife Jolene, Teresa Windrush and her partner Andy Jones, Leslie Barry and her husband John, and Hope Smith and her husband Todd; as well as leaving many beloved grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A service was held at the American Legion last Sunday and a committal service is planned in Tewksbury, Mass. in the spring.SWANSON, CHARLES W. - in South Paris, Jan. 29, 2013. Celebration of life, 2 p.m., Sunday, American Legion Hall, Naples. Hall Funeral Home, Casco.