Alfred Swinburne Jr.

Alfred Swinburne Jr.
     SCARBOROUGH -- Alfred Swinburne Jr. died Monday, Dec. 24, 2007, at the home of his son Stephen Swinburne on Beech Ridge Road in Scarborough.
     Mr. Swinburne was born on Oct. 30, 1924, in Biddeford. He was a native of Scarborough and had lived in Harrison for the last 30 years. He was the son of Alfred Swinburne Sr. and Charlotte (Googins) Swinburne, and brother of Sheila (Swinburne) Hughes and Eva Leona Swinburne (deceased).
     His childhood was spent at Prouts Neck where his family roots extended deeply. As he grew, his father taught him the plumbing trade. This was interrupted by World War II, in which Mr. Swinburne Sr. and Jr. both served. After returning home from service, Mr. Swinburne took the position of engineer at the Black Point Inn. He became a Master Plumber and was a member of Plumbers and Steamfitters Union Local 716 (formerly 217). He worked throughout New England from 1956 until he retired April 5th 1993.
     Mr. Swinburne Jr. was a retired member of the U.S. Coast Guard, and took great pride in the fact that he was the first non-commissioned Coast Guardsman in the United States to earn the rank of Warrant Officer 4. He was stationed in the South Pacific during World War II.
     Mr. Swinburne was active in the Scarborough community including the local JCs, volunteer fire department, Scarborough plumbing inspector, and was a member of the Masonic Lodge (Orchard Lodge No. 215). Mr. Swinburne worked his way up through the chairs and achieved the position of Master in 1958, the same position his father held in 1920.
     Mr. Swinburne was married in 1950 to beloved wife Sylvia. He moved from Scarborough to Harrison in 1976. He built his home, Whippoorwill Acres, on 40 acres of land. His favorite hobby was the stained glass work he created and sold. He was an avid reader.
     Mr. Swinburne is survived by his wife, Sylvia McLaughlin Swinburne of Harrison; sister Sheila Hughes of Hampton Falls, N.H.; three sons, Stephen Swinburne of Scarborough, Timothy Swinburne of West Bath, and Robert Swinburne Brattleboro, Vt., and daughter, Holly Swinburne Cesta of Scarborough; as well as nine grandchildren and three great- grandchildren.
     Visiting hours will be held at the Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Rd., South Portland, on Friday, Dec. 28, from 5-7 p.m. with a Masonic service at 7 p.m. A funeral service will take place on Saturday, Dec. 29, at 2 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Scarborough, 161 Black Point Rd., Scarborough. Internment will take place in the spring at Black Point Cemetery.
    Alfred
    Swinburne Jr.