Rev. J. Gordon Swanson

COTUIT — The Rev. J. Gordon Swanson, 80, of Cotuit, died on Thursday night, March 5, 2009, at Cape Cod Hospital.

He was the beloved husband of Anne (Coleman) Swanson; father of Gail Frost and her husband Paul of Oak Park, Ill., Joy Ernst and her husband Daniel of Chevy Chase, Md., and John G. Swanson and his wife Lee S. Burnley of New York City. Beside his wife and children, he leaves six grandchildren, John, Anna, Kristin, Daniel, Ellen and Harry; and two sisters, Ethelyn Larson and Elizabeth Ralph.

Born Nov. 18, 1928, in Jamestown, N.Y., he was a graduate of Augustana College and Augustana Theological Seminary in Rock Island, Ill. He first served as pastor of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Woburn, followed by Grace Lutheran Church in Aurora, Ill., St. John's Lutheran Church in Jersey City, N.J., and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in North Caldwell, N.J. In his final position, he served as pastor and executive director of the Seafarers and International House in New York City.

In addition to his ministry, Swanson was active in community, church and ecumenical organizations throughout his life. In Aurora, he was a leader of the city's Human Relations Commission and United Way. He served on the board of directors of the Lutheran Home of Jersey City and Clara Maas Hospital in Bellevue, N.J. During his tenure at Seafarers and International House, he was president of the North American Maritime Ministry Association and was active in the International Christian Maritime Association.

In retirement, he served as a volunteer chaplain at Cape Cod Hospital and was a member of the board of the Augustana Heritage Association. Living on Cape Cod for the last 15 years, he was an avid gardener.

Visiting hours will be in the John-Lawrence Funeral Home, 3778 Falmouth Road, Route 28, Marstons Mills, from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, March 9, 2009. A funeral service will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, in the First Lutheran Church, Route 6A, West Barnstable. The family will also welcome visitors at the church one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in Mosswood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to First Lutheran Church, West Barnstable, MA; or to Augustana College, Rock Island, IL.