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Obituary for Edwin Robert Swanson, Jr.
Edwin Robert Swanson Jr., 86, of Golden, Colorado passed away surrounded by his family on December 26, 2017 at St. Anthony Hospital.
Eddie was born in Chicago, Illinois on 1/13/31 to Edwin Robert Swanson, Sr. and Mary (Marie) Virginia Hennessy. Eddie’s brother Ronald Charles (Ronnie) was born 3/3/35. Edwin & Mary also fostered a baby, Geraldine, and raised her as their daughter. The family lived in Chicago throughout the children’s lives. Eddie attended catholic school and briefly considered becoming a priest and though he left seminary after 2 years, he always held the Catholic Church in high regard and even watched mass on TV when he was too debilitated to attend in person. Eddie graduated in 1952 with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Economics from St. Joseph’s College. He then enlisted in the Army and was stationed at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis where he met Barbara “Bunnie” Hill on a blind date on July 1, 1954. They married September 3, 1955 in Indianapolis, IN and had 3 children, Edwin Robert III (Rob) in September of 1956, Patricia Marie "Trish" in March of 1958 and Barbara Michele in December 1960. They moved the family to Colorado after falling in love with the mountains while on vacation. They purchased the family home in Applewood in 1966 where the children were raised and where Ed lived until his death. Ed & Bunnie divorced in 1972 and the children continued to live with their father until they moved out on their own. Ed and Bunnie remained involved in each other’s lives and celebrated most holidays and family milestones together with the extended family.
The rest of the Swanson family gradually moved to Colorado and his parents bought a home near their sons. Weekly Sunday dinners at Ed & Marie’s were a source of stimulating conversations and special times of story-telling when extended family came to town. When his parents could no longer live on their own, dad and his brother Ronnie cared for them in their own homes until they passed away.
Ed worked as a claim adjuster for USF&G in his early career but spent the majority of his working life as a Workers Comp Manager for RTD until he retired at age 56. There Ed met Judi Schiwal and they remained lifelong friends until his death. His passion and 2nd career was in the Stock market, where he briefly worked as a Stock Broker and continued to follow and trade in the market daily.
Ed loved life. He was an avid sportsman, outdoors man and cook. He played football in High School and College. He enjoyed fishing, camping, golfing and playing racquetball. He was skiing well into his 70’s and reveled in the fact that he was able to ski for free after he turned 70 at Winter Park. He enjoyed coaching his son’s little league basketball and football teams and he was a board member of the Golden Midget League Football Association during those years. He had an infectious laughter and always lived on his own terms.
Dad was always supportive of his children in all their endeavors and we loved him deeply and although he had difficulty expressing that love in words at times, he always showed it by his actions. Though he struggled with drinking throughout his life, he never failed to provide support and care for his family. He quit drinking completely two years ago which was a tremendous gift to his family and the last few years of his life were filled with forgiveness, joy and humor.
Ed’s home was his sanctuary and we are grateful to Judi for the care that she provided the last few years which enabled our dad to remain in his home until his death. She was a true God send.
We all have our flaws and our Dad didn’t live a perfect life but he taught us the value of unconditional love, forgiveness, the importance of family and close friends and that you are never too old to change and become a better person. He was the rock of our family and we treasure the bits of him that will live on in each of us that were touched by his life.
Ed is survived by his children Edwin R. Swanson, III, Patricia M. Swanson (spouse Danica Packard), Barbara M. Swanson-Clure (spouse Brad Clure), brother Ronald Charles and his children Kathy Kaczmarek (spouse Steve) and Michelle Powell, Grandson Joshua MacCurdy, Great Granddaughters Kingsley and Piper, Ex-wife Barbara Nelson and long time friend Judi Schiwal, plus numerous cousins.
He is preceded in death by his mother Mary V. Hennessy, father Edwin R. Swanson Sr., sister Geraldine, and nephew Patrick among other numerous Aunts, Uncles and cousins.
Services and Events: • Funeral Mass, 10:00 am, at St Joseph Catholic Church-Golden, CO. • Internment and Honor Guard, 11:15 am, Mt Olivet Cemetery, Wheat Ridge • Ed's Celebration of Life, 12:00 pm, Arbor House, Golden
St Joseph Catholic Church 969 Ulysses St, Golden, CO 80401, United States
Mount Olivet Cemetery 12801 W 44th Ave, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033, United States
Arbor House 14600 W 32nd Ave, Golden, CO 80401, United States
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Previous Events
Funeral Service
Friday
5
Jan
10:00 AM1/5/2018 10:00:00 AM
- 11:00 AM
1/5/2018 11:00:00 AM
St. Joseph Catholic Church
969 Ulysses Street Golden, CO 80401
Funeral Mass with burial at Mt. Olivet Cemetery followed by a reception at Arbor House,14600 W 32nd Ave., Golden, CO 80401, United States around 12:00 Noon.
