Obituary of Francis Jazz Swanwick

Francis Jazz Swanwick, a lifetime Goshen resident, died peacefully on Friday, October 26, 2007 at St. Theresa's Nursing Home, Middletown, NY with his family at his side. He was 80 years old. Son of William H. and Helen (Dineen) Swanwick, he was born October 10, 1927 in Goshen, NY. He was the husband of Carol Semke Swanwick. Jazz joined the US Navy during World War II at the age of 17. After the war, he returned to Goshen and began his career with the Orange County Department of Public Works, where he rose to the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Public works. Jazz retired in 1992 after 45 years of distinguished service. His tenure occurred during a very active time of bridge and road construction in Orange County when he helped design and supervise the construction of many of our current roads and bridges. In 1947 Jazz joined the Dikeman Engine and Hose Company #3 as a volunteer. Jazz served the Dikes with distinction most of his life and was a past First Lieutenant and past Captain and a former member of the Board of Fire Commissioners. Jazz was recently recognized for helping to bring formal Firematics training to Goshen with this model later being extended to other fire companies in the region. He was a leader, mentor and friend to his fellow firemen. In addition to his fire company duties, he was elected Goshen Village Trustee and Street Commissioner where he served for 13 years. Jazz received his nickname as a child while exuberantly performing as a drummer in the American Legion Drum and Bugle Corps and it stayed with him throughout his life. A lifetime member of Saint John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church in Goshen he served as an usher for many years. Before his illness, he was an avid, self-taught golfer; proud of his hole-in-one at the Stony Ford Golf Course, hole #4, on August 15th, 1988 and enjoyed working in his workshop and tending to his garden. He was a passionate NY Giants fan. Jazz was a true gentleman, a friend to many and he will be missed by all who knew him. Survivors include his beloved wife of 55 years, Carol Semke Swanwick, whom he adored and referred to as his Angel and Poopsie. He is also survived by his 5 children: Deborah Sherman and her husband Paul Carrier of Florida, NY, Mary Kay Jankowski and her husband Stanley of Goshen, Kevin Swanwick and his wife Kathy of Walden, NY, Patty Swanwick-Wiley of Goshen, NY and John Swanwick and his wife Laureen of Rhinebeck, NY; grandchildren Colleen and Jeremy Hughes, Matthew and Daniel Jankowski, Holley and Paulette Swanwick, Patrick Pierpoint and Griffin Swanwick. He is also survived by his brothers, William Swanwick and his wife Alice of Albuquerque, NM and Robert Swanwick and his wife Helen of Middletown, and a sister, Sister Mary Swanwick, SC, of St. Elizabeth, Convent Station, NJ, brother-in-law, Arthur Dally of Queensbury, NY and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Helen Swany Greenbaum, sister-in-law, Joan Dally and sons-in-law, Dr. Ronald Sherman and Alan Wiley. Visitation will be Monday, October 29, 2007 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the Donovan Funeral Home, 82 South Church Street, Goshen. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 at 10:00 am at St. John the Evangelist R.C. Church, Goshen. Interment will follow in St. John's Cemetery, Goshen. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Jazz may be made to Emergency Housing Group, Inc., 38 Seward Avenue, Middletown, NY 10940, Attn: John Harper. Arrangements are under the care of the Donovan Funeral Home, Goshen. For information or to leave a personal condolence please visit donovanfunerals.com