Arthur W. Swenson Sr.

1926 - 2014

Arthur W. Swenson Sr., 87, died peacefully in his sleep Tuesday, May 27, 2014, at HealthSouth Rehabilitation Center after a recent fall and period of failing health. He was born Nov. 23, 1926, in Worcester, Mass., the son of the late Arthur E. and Helen (Nord) Swenson. He was educated in the Worchester schools and served his country in the U.S. Navy as a radioman in submarine service during World War II and the Korean conflict.

Arthur married Barbara Dempster, his beloved wife of 57 years, on June 25, 1949, in Leverett, Mass. They moved to the Concord area in 1954 and raised their four children in Boscawen. He and his wife moved to Loudon in 1980 to their home that he proudly designed. In retirement, they also resided in Zephyrhills, Fla. where Arthur continued to winter over the past two decades.

Arthur was employed as the first administrator of the Havenwood Retirement Community and Nursing Home for six years, administrator of the Hillsboro County Home for several years and later as the administrator of the Peabody Nursing Home in Franklin until his retirement in 1992. Arthur served on American College of Health Care Administrators, serving as secretary in 1984-1985 and national treasurer in 1986-1987.

Arthur lived his life faithfully and was an active member of First Congregational Church in Concord for almost 60 years where he had served as a deacon, trustee, church president, and member of the choir. He served the NH Conference, United Church of Christ, as an associate lay minister, preaching in 38 churches in the state. He was also an associate member of the Methodist Church in Zephyrhills, Fla. where he continued to sing in the choir.

He was a Master Mason at the Horace Chase Lodge in Penacook for 59 years where he also served as organist for the lodge and the Grand Masonic Lodge of NH. As a member of the Bektash Shriners, he played glockenspiel and bass drum for the Bektash Temple marching band for many years, raising funds for the Shriners Hospital for Children in Boston.

Arthur shared his musical talent for the enjoyment of others, often playing the piano or organ at social events and he shared his bass voice with the Concord Chorale and the local Conchords group for several years.

He and Barbara loved spending time with their children, grandchildren, their family and many friends; camping with their children in a travel camper in earlier years and later at the residential Mayo Campground on Lake Waukewan in Meredith for 25 years. They travelled abroad to several countries; the most meaningful was to visit Jerusalem, Israel with the Chorale. To celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, they traveled to Austria and Switzerland with the Shriners group. They also enjoyed touring England and Scotland and also made several trips to his parents' native Sweden to reconnect with extended family.

He was an avid reader, enjoyed music, sailing his Sunfish on the lake, golfing, shuffleboard tournaments, daily crossword puzzles, carpentry and wood crafting projects, and handcrafting many items for his home and gifts for his family.

Arthur was predeceased by his brother, Earl in 1960; and his wife, Barbara in 2006.

He is survived by his daughter, Deborah Swenson of Lakeland, Fla.; sons, Arthur W. (Bill) Swenson Jr. and his wife, Sheila of Loudon, Dana Swenson of Woodstock, Conn. and wife, Cheryl and David Swenson and wife, Karen of Loudon; ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

At Arthur's request, there will be no calling hours.

A private funeral service for the family will be held at the NH State Veterans Cemetery on Friday, May 30.

A memorial service to honor his life will be held on Saturday, May 31, at 10 a.m. at the First Congregational Church, 177 North Main St., Concord.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Arthur's memory to the First Congregational Church music fund.