THE REVEREND JAMES BARRETT SWAIN

1932 - 2016

SWAIN, THE REV. JAMES BARRETT The Reverend James Barrett Swain, beloved husband of Doris (Stearns) Swain for fifty-nine years, died on Monday, November 28, 2016. Born on July 29, 1932 in Waterbury, CT, Jim was the son of the late Reverend Joseph and Elsie (Searles) Swain. After graduating from Middletown High School and Wesleyan University he went on to receive a Master of Divinity Degree at Yale Divinity School, and an M.A. in Theology and Literature from the University of Chicago. Jim was an ordained minister of the United Methodist Church, serving in north India for 13 years where he taught graduate level English Literature. Jim pastored churches in Bridgeport, CT and northern Illinois in Aurora, Cedarville, Davis and Rock City. He was passionate about Community Mental Health Services and chaired the Advisory Board of River Valley Services for many years in retirement. Jim had many talents and gifts, which he expressed through writing poetry, painting, singing and cooking. One of the true joys of his life was spending time at his family cabin in Littleton, NH. Jim and Doris have lived at Covenant Village of Cromwell since May of 2006. Along with his wife, Jim is survived by three children, Suzanne S. Rollins and husband Jeff of Rajpur, India, Virginia L. Swain of Middletown, CT and Carl J. Swain and wife Dee of Barrington, NH. There are eight grandchildren, Asha Watson, Christopher Rollins, Priya Manral, Daniel Rollins; Zachariah Sica; and Ryan, Neal & Joshua Swain and three great grandchildren, Andrew and Zander Watson and Elijah Rollins. A memorial service will be held on Monday, December 19, 2016 at 2:00 o’clock at Doolittle Funeral Home, 14 Old Church Street, Middletown at which Barbara Marks will officiate. People wishing to visit with the family are welcome there between 1:00 and 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 221 Ridge Road, Middletown, CT 06457 or to the Benevolent Care Fund of Covenant Village of Cromwell, 52 Missionary Road, Cromwell, CT 06416. To share memories or send condolences to the family, please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.