Eric Swider

Eric Swider, 71, former chief executive officer of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce and a former resident of Hingham, Mass., died June 3, following a sudden illness. A native of Providence, R.I., he had resided in Cumberland, R.I. In 1971, at the age of 29, Swider was already an experienced chamber of commerce executive when he was hired to lead the Quincy-South Shore Chamber of Commerce. He had previously been a divisional manager for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Ohio and an executive at chambers in Schenectady, N.Y., and Malden, Mass. Under Swiders leadership, South Shore Chamber of Commerce played an influential role in the mid-1970s in establishing the South Shores first commuter boat service, running from Hingham to Boston. He also led the Chamber from being primarily a local Chamber to a truly regional voice for business throughout the entire South Shore. In 1978, Swider became president of the New England Council, a regional business leadership association. He subsequently became president of the Greater Buffalo (NY) Chamber of Commerce. Eric had a 25-year career in Chamber of Commerce work, followed by 20 years as the owner of a direct mail marketing business. He was the husband of Claudette (Lussier) Swider. He was the father of Lee-Ann (Adam) Wiensch of Mequon, Wis., Marcelle (Andrew) Szurley of Lincoln, R.I., and Jeff (Jenny) Swider of Portsmouth, R.I. A celebration of his life will be held Saturday at 9 a.m. from the J. J. Duffy Funeral Home, 757 Mendon Road, Rte. 122, Cumberland. Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. in St. John Vianney Church, 3609 Diamond Hill Road, Cumberland. Visiting hours will be held Friday, from 5 to 8 p.m. Directions and guest book, jjduffyfuneralhome.com.