GREGORY MCSWEEN

1980 - 2021

McSWEEN Gregory S. McSween LtCol, U.S. Marine Corps With heavy hearts we announce the passing of LtCol Gregory Sean McSween, USMC, on November 9, 2021. Greg was an extraordinary son, brother, husband, and father who loved his family and country. Survived by his ever-devoted wife, Leanne, and their four beautiful children - Connor Andrew (11), Declan Sean (9), Owen Patrick (7), and Fiona Jane (4) - his legacy as a dedicated family man is showcased in the loving bond shared among his children. Born at Fort Knox, Kentucky on September 22, 1980, Greg was the second of four children to LTC (R) Dave and Ann McSween. Along with older sister Allison (Erik), younger siblings Katie (John) and Brian (Regan), Greg enjoyed a tight-knit upbringing rooted in his Irish Catholic faith. The family endured eight military relocations prior to sixth grade, as Greg's father was an active duty Army officer, culminating his Army career in the Washington, D.C. area. Family roots were established in Alexandria, VA in 1992 and have remained anchored to the area since. Upon arriving in Alexandria, Greg discovered his love of soccer. This intense relationship carried him through high school, where he earned his status as a true athlete-student. His love of soccer was second in his devotion to escaping responsibility at home while somehow juxtaposing a solo effort to attain the rank of Eagle Scout, like his father. Following graduation from Bishop Ireton High School in 1999, Greg's passion for soccer carried him to play at Longwood University, where he met Leanne (nee Kibler), in November 2001. He, a walk-on three year player, and she, a three year starter on the women's lacrosse team, cemented a true and impermeable bond which led to the creation of their own team- Team McSween- in the years ahead. Leanne stood with Greg in support as he attended Officer Candidate School while attending Longwood, where he was commissioned in 2003 as a Ground Intelligence Officer in the United States Marine Corps, following in the footsteps of his maternal grandfather. Upon marrying in June 2006, Leanne stepped naturally into her role as the ultimate Semper Fi wife- never a task too great to undertake or neighbor to befriend. Greg and Leanne welcomed their four children throughout their military relocations with immense pride as they pursued their shared quest for adventure. Together, their travels led to exploring 24 countries with wonder in their journey as a family. Across five military relocations for assignments at Camp Lejeune NC, Quantico VA, Stuttgart Germany, and the Pentagon with five deployments intermixed along the way, Leanne demonstrated her tremendous strength in keeping all the trains running on time. Greg's last assignment on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon finally afforded him the opportunity to live near family with military retirement on the horizon. Greg is also survived by his wife's family, Andy and Susan Kibler, sister-in-law Glenna (Geoffrey), and brother-in-law Jackson (Amanda). Beyond immediate family, Uncle Greg will be sorely missed by nieces and nephews: Keegan, Adeline, Eloise, Henry, Madison, MacKenzie, Jack, Palmer, and June. In addition, twenty aunts and uncles and 34 first cousins make up a small portion of the extended family that share fond memories of Greg. So ingrained in Greg was his ability to develop deep, lasting friendships throughout all the chapters of his life, and carry that forward despite distance, time, and the daily grind of life. We join him in the enduring search of the perfect pitch, beer chilled to the right temperature, a well-stoked fire utilizing wood split and stacked by hand, a perfectly timed one-liner delivered with masterful dry humor, and the warm comfort of a not-too-long embrace as we yearn to find peace with the Irish Goodbye that was ultimately his last measure. We honor his legacy by carrying forward his spirit within each of us. Cheers to our hero until we may see you on the other side. Greg will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be announced. Greg will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be announced.