Joe Swain

Joe Swain, of Waterford, Michigan, age 85, passed away peacefully on October 1st, 2025 with his loving family by his side. A man of deep integrity, unwavering devotion, and incredible work ethic, Joe's legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him. Joe was preceded in death by his loving wife, Edith, his parents and in-laws, Josephine and Charles Swain and Jean Joseph and Edith Vigneau, He was also preceded by his siblings, Mary (Wayne), John, Judy, Jimmy, Vincent, Daniel, and Charles Anthony, his in-laws, Shirley (Eddie), Jean, Joe (Betty), Bobby, Billy (Gail), Joan, and Tom. He is survived by his sister Helen, and in-laws Reggie, Tino, Kate, Sharon, Jackie, Traute, Peggy, He was also survived by his many children, grandchildren, great children and so many very special nieces and nephews.
Born in Detroit, in 1940, Joe grew up with strong values of hard work, humility, and loyalty-principles that would guide his entire life. After graduating high school, he proudly enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served with honor and dedication. His time in the Navy shaped him into the disciplined, steady, and resilient man his family and friends relied on throughout his life. While in the navy, his father passed away. He then sent every paycheck home to support his mother and 7 siblings. Joe often said that the Navy taught him about duty, honor, and sacrifice, but those who knew him best would say those qualities were already part of who he was.
While Joe was proud of his service to his country, his greatest joy came from his life at home. He was blessed to marry his high school sweetheart, Edith Vigneau, and together they shared more than 60 years of marriage filled with love, laughter, and partnership. Their relationship was one of true devotion, an example of love that endured through every season of life. Edith was not only Joe's wife, but also his best friend, and together they created a home where family always came first.
Joe and Edith were the proud parents of five children, Edie (Jay), Pam (Rob ), Joe (Shawn) Jenn ( Brian), and Kristen (Mike). Their lives were made even richer with the arrival of eleven grandchildren, Chelsea (Jordan), Biko, Matt (Savannah), Brooke, Lauren, Frank (Isaac), Malcolm, Mae, Mimi, Cohen, and Sophia, and, in time, four great-grandchildren, Preston, Carolina, Tessa, and most recently, Max. Joe was a constant presence in the lives of his family-whether cheering from the sidelines, attending school plays, dance recitals, band concerts, graduations, driving the grandchildren to school, sitting with them at the bus stop, or delighting his great grandchildren with his falsetto impressions of various Disney characters. He never missed an opportunity to show his children and grandchildren how proud he was of them, and his legacy of love will continue to shape their lives for generations.
Together with Edith, Joe also poured his heart and soul into their business, operating several Country Boy restaurants. For Joe, the restaurants were never just about food-they were about community. He treated everyone who worked there or walked through the door as if they were family, He was as loyal and committed to his employees and regular customers as he was to his own family. Many came in for a meal but left with the memory of Joe's (and Edie's) generous spirit. He believed in hard work, honest service, and giving people a place to feel at home. The Country Boy restaurants were an extension of Joe's values, and they became beloved gathering places in the communities they served.
Beyond his work and family, Joe was a man who found joy in life's simple pleasures. He enjoyed fishing, boating, water skiing, and cheering on The Detroit Lions, Detroit Tigers, and the Detroit Red Wings.
He always had a good story or joke to tell and had a mischievous sense of humor. If he was teasing you or giving you a hard time you knew you were loved and a part of his inner circle. Joe's life was defined not only by what he accomplished, but by the countless lives he touched. He taught by example-through selfless generosity, tireless work ethic, feisty humor, and an unwavering belief in the importance of family.
He is survived by his large family. Though he has left this world, his spirit lives on in each of them and in the many people who were lucky enough to know him.
A gathering celebrating Joe's life will be held on June 20th, 2026. Also, a memorial service at Great Lakes Memorial Cemetery @ 11:00am on June 22nd. 2026.
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