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John Swaile Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for John Swaile
Evan Chambers Suzanne Camino
September 2, 2009
John's poems have been in my head recently, as I've been planning to quote him at my father's funeral this week--this one is a beautiful little koan of a poem he wrote for our friend Jack Fox: "Before you died, you lived in Ohio. Now you're everywhere." He had a gentle soul, and a compassionate heart--he touched our lives and our prayers are with your family.
Amy (Weasner) England
September 1, 2009
One of my fondest memories of John is when he came to my crappy little apartment in downtown BG and cooked a gourmet meal of Cornish game hen and glazed carrots. After a steady grad student diet of Ramen noodles and cold pizza, I'd forgotten what real food tasted like. We drank some fairly decent wine and debated the merits of the classic Star Trek series vs. The Next Generation -- a complete geekfest.
Thank you, John, for your gentle good humor and boisterous laugh. Thank you for trying to teach me origami, even though I proved completely inept. I'm sorry I kept playing "A Whiter Shade of Pale" just to annoy you one night, but I'm sure you've forgiven me for that by now.
joe whitehead
August 31, 2009
Dear Mrs. Swaile,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in this time of your loss. We were so sorry to hear about it. Thank you for all your time and dedication to myself and the other students that you have put in throughout the years.
Deepest Sympathy,
Joe Whitehead and family
Michael Devany
August 29, 2009
John was a good friend and always will be. John certainly knew he had friends. He was reliable and did a lot more lifting up of others than putting down. His sardonic wit and writings will always make me crack a smile. I had the pleasure of meeting with John and Carmela 8/15/09 at Maxwell’s for a brief evening. We shared some laughs and got caught up on the ironies of life. Adie and I are truly sorry we were unable to attend the wake and funeral. We just received word on the evening of 8/27/09. We plan to attend the sharing and reading of John and his works in September. We hope to see and share with old friends and to meet a few new ones. John’s passing reminds us all the more to always try to leave on good and respectful terms with people and to let them know that you care about them when you see them.
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Arnold Koester
August 28, 2009
John was a big man with a big heart with a whole lot of love for lots of people things and topics An interesting man because he was interested. He's going to leave a big hole that can only be filled with love life poetry and all things interesting
JP Zalar
August 28, 2009
John has warmed our lives with his kindness and poetry! May he inspire all of us!!!! Our prayers are with you during this unimaginably difficult time! God Bless!
Kerry Trautman
August 28, 2009
Everyone who's missing John now knows how brilliant & witty he was, how sweet and how gentle--unless he was busy wrestling words to the ground. Good-bye, dear, dear man.
Hod Doering
August 28, 2009
John is gone
never far from our hearts
he remains alive in good memories
Jenny Petersen-Neeld
August 28, 2009
My condolences to John's family and friends. It has been years since I have seen John but I fondly remember him giving the BEST hugs and always making me feel happy! My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Scott Campbell
August 28, 2009
John was the first person I met at Bowling Green. I moved from Oxford to BG and shared "The third street country club" with John and Jack Fox. we were all best buds and roomies - John, Jack, Julie and me. John was a member of our wedding party - 1986. Jack had already left us by then. We last saw John at a Bluegrass Festival in Toledo a couple of years ago. It had been several years prior to that, but he looked great and seemed so happy and , well, like the John we all know and love.
I am so sad to lose such a good dear friend. I hope he and Jack are sharing a good laugh together!
Julie and I offer heartfelt condolences to John's family and friends. John will always be in our hearts!
Lynn Herndon Denney
August 27, 2009
Such a long time ago, being in Bowling Green with John. He was a kind and interesting friend, who made me feel special. I will always remember him in the lounge surrounded by the newspaper trees! May Peace comfort his family at this difficult time.
Amy Horn
August 27, 2009
I was really sad to hear of John's death. I knew him at BG and remember him as a personality bigger than life! I wish I had met up with him again before now to tell him how much his memory stuck with me all these years and laugh about it with him. I want to wish his family and friends peace and comfort.
Glenn Burris
August 27, 2009
It's been a long time since I last saw John, but I will miss him just the same.
One thing I will never, ever forget: One night, riding in the back of Jeff Holth's car, John, in the front seat, told me one of the funniest jokes i have ever heard. It's a brilliant, winding tale, and also a joke with TWO punch lines. And the way he told me this joke, with a different voice for each character, and without actually seeing him tell it, made it ten times more hysterical. It was a kind of 'sedan theater'.
I've told that joke a hundred times in the last twenty years, but I've never told it as well as John did. I always think of him whenever I repeat it, and I can never tell it without laughing myself.
Now there's a legacy for you, folks.
Thanks, John.
Joe Daniel
August 27, 2009
Our condolences go to John's family and his fiance' Carmela. We met John last year. John was a good man, intelligent, smart, and a caring person. We'll keep you all in our prayers.
Donna and Alan Cohen
August 27, 2009
To John Swaile~one of the great bards of Toledo, Ohio.
You will be remembered and missed, sir.
Nikki Badman
August 27, 2009
I regret not having gotten the chance to know you better, John. From what I knew you were smart, witty, and cared very deeply about others. Your memory will surely live on in those whose lives you've touched.
Beth Hewitt
August 27, 2009
Fond college memories of time well spent with John. Extremely special person who affected everyone who was fortunate enough know him. I always admired his wit and courage.
ed zunic
August 26, 2009
John, thank you. Cheers, sir.
Rick Webb
August 26, 2009
My thoughts and sympathies are with John's family and all of the close friends he made during his journey. I recall with a smile his intelligence, his creativity, that great voice, and most of all, that wonderful laugh.
August 26, 2009
John, I remember the days of your early poetry readings at Manos, and later the Brewed. You always had a hug, and a table to share too. Thanks for hanging out for dinner and Rusty's Jazz so long ago - that was fun.
We didn't have the bottle of wine in my back yard yet - we'll do it soon, I'll look for you. Brightest blessings John. Blessed Be.
Dana Wright
Yvonne Wingard
August 26, 2009
John was unique; never at a loss for words. His wit was always there; he will be missed.
Jeff Holth
August 26, 2009
John, I will always remember the good times we had those years in Toledo. RIP John.
Steve White
August 26, 2009
John will always be that affable , smart, rascally true friend that was always such a pleasure to spend time with. We will miss you on this plane John. Our deepest sympathy to his family and all of his many friends.
Nicol Kostic
August 26, 2009
John was one of the most brilliant people i knew, i loved that about him, his gentle nature, & his Oragami boxes...a true friend. Nicol
Casey & Mass Keta
August 26, 2009
Very Simply, John will be remembered for his sassy sense of humor, his never ending curiosity for all things,
his love of the written & spoken word.
We always considered John an Elder of
the 'Brewed Awakenings' family. Our lives were seasoned with the spice of John Swaile... and it was a good thing!
Carmela Ramos
August 26, 2009
You were and always will be the love of my life.
mark majer
August 26, 2009
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
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