Robert Arthur SWANSON

SWANSON, Robert Arthur Robert A. Swanson, 78, passed away peacefully on December 29 with his family by his side. He was born and raised in West Hartford, CT, son of Helen and Arthur Swanson, and graduated from William H. Hall High School. In his early career, he was employed under his father by Wadhams and May Construction Co. In the Navy, he attended Machinests school in Great Lakes, IL. Robert served his country proudly in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War for which he received two service stars. Among his citations were National Defense, China Service, Navy Occupation, and a Korean Presidential Unit Citation. During Vietnam, he was a Merchant Marine and chief engineer on the USS American Charger and Chiefton ships. His military service brought him to much admired Asian countries whose culture and majestic sunsets he lovingly recounted. He is survived by his three children and their spouses, Sheryl Giguere and her husband Frank, of West Hartford, CT, his son, Scott Swanson, with whom he co-owned New England Carpet, and his spouse Peggy, of Coventry, CT, and Suzanne Mercier and her husband Bob, of Newington, CT. He also leaves a sister, Lu-Ella Kramer and her husband (predeceased), Dr. Harry Kramer, of Holden, MA, as well as, four grandsons, Brandon and Ryan Mercier, and Patrick and Dylan Giguere, of whom he was so proud, and his former wife, the mother of his children, and his life-long friend, MaryAnne Mann, of South, Windsor, CT and her husband, Wes, granddaughters Katie Warzecho and Kelsey Yungk, and two nephews, Steve Kramer of McKinleyville, CA and Fred Kramer of Ashland, MA and their spouses, and loyal friend Laurie Pinkston_and her husband Jim of Coventry, CT, and a sister-in-law, Elaine Dragon, of Slate Hill, NY, as well as other long-time friends. Bob's family will remember his love of the ocean and of world history, his dry sense of humor, and his handsome face and sensitive heart. The family extends thanks to the Palliative Care nursing staff at Hartford, Hospital, and especially to Dr. Divinagracia. A cremation burial with full military honors will be held at Coventry Cemetery, on Memorial Road, in Coventry, CT, on Saturday, January 23 at 11:30 a.m. His remaining ashes will be buried at sea by U.S. Naval Ship. Bob had great affection for animals, especially "Blue", "Tikki" and "Winston". Donations may be made in his memory to the ASPCA at www.aspca.org. Words of remembrance may be shared on the guest book at www.BrooklawnFuneralHome.com.