Richard E. Swenson

TEMPLETON – Richard E. Swenson, 80, of 41 South Main Street, East Templeton, died peacefully Wednesday morning, June 27th in Heywood Hospital, Gardner.

He was born in Gardner on January 17, 1932, son of the late Edwin and Agnes (Pearson) Swenson and had lived in East Templeton for many years.

Dick worked for several years at the former Conant and Ball as sales manager.   He later worked as a sales representative for Winners Only, covering all of the New England region, until his retirement. Dick was a 1949 graduate of the former Templeton High School and attended Worcester Junior College until entering the United States Navy.  He proudly served aboard the USS Tarawa and circled the world twice while serving.  He was awarded the National Defense Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Medal, China Service Medal and Navy Occupation Medal.  Dick was very patriotic and was a life member of Ovila Case #905 VFW and American Legion Post  #129 of Gardner.  Dick was also a life member and Past Exalted Ruler of Garner Lodge of Elks #1426 of Gardner.

Dick was a member of the former First Lutheran Church, where he had served as a deacon and worked each church fair.  He was a current member of Faith Lutheran Church, where he served each month as a greeter with his best friend, Dave Thompson.  Dick was a former Little League Coach and was an auxiliary firefighter in East Templeton for 25 years.  He was a member of the former Mr. and Mrs. Club and had been a past president of the former Wachusett Traffic Club.  An avid sports fan, Dick followed the Red Sox, Patriots, Bruins and Celtics and regularly attended Narragansett Regional High School football games.  He was very proud of his Swedish heritage and shot pool regularly, with his friends, at the Gardner Senior Center.  Each day, he walked two miles with his dog, McGyver.  Dick also enjoyed gardening.

He leaves his wife of 36 years, Elizabeth L. (Shimkus) Swenson; three children, Richard F. Swenson and his wife Jacqueline of Van Nuys, CA, Daniel Swenson and his wife Yvette of Gardner and Lisa Powers of Huntington Beach, Ca; two grandchildren, Trevor Powers and Heather Swenson and a great granddaughter, Victoria Swenson.  A sister, Dorothy Swenson, predeceased him.

Funeral services will be held Monday, July 2nd at 11 A.M. in Faith Lutheran Church, 627 Green Street, Gardner.  The Rev. Scott Grimshaw will officiate.  Burial will follow in Green Bower Cemetery, Gardner.

Calling hours in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon are Sunday, July 1st from 4 to 7 P.M.

Memorial donations may be made to Faith Lutheran Church, 627 Green Street, Gardner, MA 01440.

www.stone-ladeau.com

---