Frank "Duke" Swanson

Frank "Duke" Swanson died on June 26th, 2025, after a long battle with dementia. He was born on December 18,1956 in Freeport, NY, the son of France and Maryanne Swanson. He met his future wife Cornelia as a senior at Uniondale High School in NY. They were together for over 50 years. They married in 1985, lived for a few years in Lindenhurst, NY, and moved to Windham ME in 1992. There they raised 2 children, Corinna and Tyler, spending summers down at the beach on the Presumpscot River and winters skiing and snowmobiling. Vacations to Sanibel Island, Orlando, and Sedona created many fond memories.
Duke was an avid basketball player; he joined many pick-up leagues in NY and Maine, and cherished the friendships he made there. Duke also loved Mopars, motorcycles, and really anything with an engine. He was part of the drag racing community at Oxford Dragway for many years. Duke achieved a lifelong dream when he received his private pilot's license in 2009, and enjoyed taking family up for trips in Cessa 6194d, especially the trip he took with Corinna to Sugarloaf airport.
Anyone who knew him, knew he loved his vehicles, and always kept them in pristine condition. Duke was a friend to many, always offering to lend a hand to anyone at any time. He loved socializing with friends, BBQing on the deck, playing basketball, going out for a bite or a beer, and playing cribbage or rummicube with friends on cold winter nights. Friday night Happy Hours were numerous and always a good time.
But more than anything, he loved spending time with his family, in Maine, New York, and Maryland. He was the stay-at-home dad for both children, building tree houses, puppet theaters, and entertaining them and the neighborhood kids with all kinds of creative play. Every year at Halloween he would decorate a holiday float and transport all the children (and adults!) around the neighborhood.
Duke is predeceased by his parents. He will be deeply missed by his wife Cornelia, daughter Corinna, son Tyler, brother Wayne and his wife Debbie, sister Terrianne, sister-in-law Karen, nieces and nephews Jennifer, Phoebe, Michael and Dean, and close friends Bruce and Gail Tower and Bret and Laura Turner.
Special thank you to all the staff of Avita Stroudwater, Unit P6 of MMC, and Gosnell House for the extraordinary care and compassion they provided to Duke and his family.
Visitation hours will be at Dolby Blais & Segee in Windham on July 2nd from 4pm-7pm. The family would like to bring all his friends and family together later in the summer for a celebration of his life. Date TBD.